Glen Piper buys Hook Island Lodge in Whitsundays

Hotelier Glen Piper has swooped on Hook Island resort in the Whitsundays, The resort is located on the southeastern side of Hook Island, the exclusive 9.3ha site offers two private beaches, more than 1km of water frontage.

Mr Piper said “We are thrilled to secure a landmark position in the heart of it on Hook Island,”

“I want to create an experience that befits the beauty of the island, and the Whitsundays – respectfully and sustainably. I’m energised at the thought of creating a world class hospitality experience for this slice of paradise.”

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From the Australian

Hotelier Glen Piper has swooped on a Whitsunday Island resort with plans to create a world class tourism experience.

The Sydney-based founder and chief executive of Meridian Australia has bought Hook Island Lodge, having the property under offer two days into the sales campaign and contacts exchanged before close.

Mr Piper said the Whitsundays was one of the most “naturally stunning” and diverse tourism destinations in the world.

“We are thrilled to secure a landmark position in the heart of it on Hook Island,” he said.

“There’s nothing quite like it. Very few locations in the world can offer this level of natural wonder.

A sale price has not been revealed but during the marketing campaign price expectations were for between $10m and $15m and was sold by CBRE Hotels Tom Gibson.

Located on the southeastern side of Hook Island, the exclusive 9.3ha site offers two private beaches, more than 1km of water frontage and sweeping views of Hook Passage and the Great Barrier Reef.

The lodge was devastated by cyclones in 2011 and 2017 the previous owner – a private family – invested significant time and capital to clean it up and obtain approvals for a 50-villa luxury lodge, glamping resort or day-tripper tourism operation.

The sale marks the third hospitality asset acquired by Mr Piper in as many weeks, following the announcement of the Merewether Hotel in Newcastle, as well as the iconic Q Station Hotel on Sydney Harbour.

Mr Gibson said there was increasing confidence in the tourism market post Covid.

“The fact that Hook Island Lodge went under offer in the very first week of a public expressions of interest process, highlights the confidence experienced operators have in our tourism market,” he said.

“We received in excess of 150 inquiries through the process from a range of well-known investors, including major international F and B players, as well as ultra-high net worth individuals.

“Queensland, and more specifically the Whitsunday Islands, has witnessed record hospitality and tourism investment over recent years, marking it as one of the most resilient markets through the pandemic and positioning it perfectly to capture to resurgent international inbound market.”