Warm sands: Hotel and resort complex to soft launch soon

THE Sands is getting back up and running after a long closure, with the golf course, hotel and resort complex to relaunch its cafe this weekend and hold a soft launch of its accommodation in the coming weeks.

Destination Leisure Holdings (DLH), a consortium of Surf Coast and Melbourne investors, acquired the land and its buildings in Torquay for nearly $13 million in mid-February, following the previous owners of the business entering voluntary administration and receivers being appointed midway through last year.

The consortium has contracted Victorian-based management company Belgravia Leisure to manage The Sands, which includes an 18-hole golf course designed by Stuart Appleby, the 112-room hotel and resort, a 25-metre indoor pool, tennis courts, and restaurant.

On Tuesday this week, Belgravia Leisure general manager of tourism and wellness Karen Golden said her company was thrilled to be appointed to help “reinvigorate and return The Sands Torquay to a premium beachside destination on the Surf Coast”.

“The beautiful beachside location and 18-hole golf course, designed by Stuart Appleby, are key features of the property, however we expect the masterplan, currently under way, for refurbishment and new offerings will see other unique features added to the property.
“The golf course is in great shape and currently welcoming new members and casual visitors.”

She said the original plan was to reactivate the accommodation with a soft open of the hotel tomorrow (Friday, March 5) of a limited number of rooms, but this will now take place in the coming weeks, with further rooms opening for Easter and the school holidays and refurbishment plans for the coming months.

“Food and beverage is currently open in limited capacity, however a new cafe launch with both indoors and outdoors seating on the green, seven days per week with breakfasts from 7am and all day dining until 9pm, will begin from this weekend.

“We expect to introduce live music at the venue soon and further announcements related to spa offering and special events will follow shortly.”

A spokesperson for DLH said media reports earlier this week about The Sands related to the previous owners of the business, Cloud Abacus Holdings and Odyns Holdings and their relationship with administrators PKF Melbourne, and would not affect DLH’s plans for the site.

He said DLH had purchased the plant and equipment at The Sands, including golf carts, hotel beds and furniture, ride-on mowers, and kitchen equipment.

“The Sands business has left a long list of unpaid bills and the administration will not provide much for these people.

“We (the new owners of The Sands) have undertaken to the Federal Court of Australia last month to hold $750,000 in trust to ensure all worker entitlements for employees of The Sands are met; I can confirm that this is in place.

“We are working hard with Belgravia and the owners’ group planning a capital expenditure program to return the asset to its former glory.”

PKF Melbourne’s Paul Allen had not responded to questions from this newspaper at time of press.