MODERN: An artists impression of the proposed motel Bryces Smart Consistent Accommodation 0501daltonmotel
A NEW motel proposed for Dalton Street will have no reception, with guests instead receiving a room number and entry code via text message.
Bryce McDougall will draw on more than 20 years experience in the tourism industry for the venture, which he hopes will kick-start a chain of motels in regional NSW targeting business people.
He chose Dalton Street to take advantage of the quiet residential location.
“Traditionally motels went for passing traffic from motorists driving past but these days people make reservations on the internet before they come,” he said.
“The importance of having a big street presence is not that important any more.”
Mr McDougall said the SMS check-in would be a first for short-term accommodation in Australia, and would make it easier and quicker for guests.
The motel will be a removable prefabricated building manufactured in Victoria and installed on-site by builders, in a bid to lessen noise during construction.
Mr McDougall said he chose the modern, flat-roofed, red cedar design to stand out.
“I will have identical designs in other country towns so people will know that’s Bryces,” he said.
He admitted the style of the motel was different to homes in the area but he said it would not be visible from the street.
Although the motel will offer stripped-back accommodation with no restaurant, pool or gym, Mr McDougall said the rooms would be of four- or five-star hotel quality, with amenities to suit business people including wifi, washing machines and clothes dryers.
He said CCTV cameras in the hallway would deter vandals and an on-call employee in Orange would be available to respond should something go wrong.
He would also consider employing a security guard if problems developed at the motel.
Mr McDougall doesn’t believe sharing a driveway with the adjacent childcare centre will be an issue for the development but he is willing to install a stop sign if requested.
“Ultimately parents are responsible for getting their child into the childcare centre,” he said.
“They could just as easily run out on the street.”
A decision on the development was deferred to Thursday’s council meeting as five councillors were absent from Monday’s Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) meeting.