Q&A: Kelly Ash, Hotel Operations Manager

 

The best communities are the ones that make absolutely everyone feel welcome. You know, the ones where everyone knows and supports not just their neighbours, but the guys on the other side of town too. 

Moonah Links resort is one such example of this type of community on the Mornington Peninsula. Next in our ongoing question and answer sessions, we’ve caught up with Moonah Link’s Hotel Operations Manager, Kelly Ash to see how she helps to carry out these wholesome virtues with the local suppliers of the Moonah Links Market Stall.

What is your day to day like as Moonah Link’s Hotel Operations Manager?

I oversee all of the hotel departments and outlets, from rooms and guest services. I am constantly striving to better our service and our offerings with a focus on this great region we live in and the Moonah Market stall was born from that.

Some days when I was helping out at the front desk during check out, I would ask a guest how their stay was and if they had the time to explore attractions like the red hill wine region or the chocolate shop in Flinders. I would be disappointed for them if they hadn’t found the time or weren’t aware of what I considered the ‘must see’ things to do around the Peninsula.

So, I thought a market stall was a great way to advertise some of our package partners and Mornington Peninsula businesses. This way, if guests were here for a conference or their schedule didn’t really allow for offsite exploration, they could take a piece of the Peninsula home with them!

What is your relationship with the suppliers of Moonah’s Market Stall?

We are a tourism hot spot and all of the businesses across the region are really invested in each other’s success which is amazing. We get a tremendous amount of support from local businesses and we make sure we return the favour by buying local wherever possible.

Many of our accommodation packages feature a component paired with another local operator of business like bathing at the Peninsula Hot Springs or a tapas lunch at the Cups Estate Winery. We enjoy close relationships with many other wineries, restaurants and attractions across the Peninsula.

How important is it for Moonah Links to work with local suppliers?

It’s extremely important. We are committed to providing our guests with the best experience possible during their stay and that does not begin and end with the front gate of our property.

We consider ourselves ambassadors for the Mornington Peninsula Region and while we take pride in showcasing the very best of what the Mornington Peninsula has to offer onsite by way of initiatives like the Market Stall, we encourage guests to use us as base from which to explore the region.

I encourage my staff to individually research and visit local operators so they are best able to answer enquiries and figure out how to ensure our guests get the most out of their visit. My staff are great in that they can always recommend where to find the best coffee or what time to hit the weekend markets. I know from the feedback we get, that our guests appreciate the time spent with them.

What are some of the different products you get for the stall?

The products are a mix of goods from our favourite local suppliers like Red Hill Cookie Company’s gourmet biscuits and boutique beer from the Red Hill Brewery – all these goods, plus more are featured within the resort. These also include Commonfolk Coffee beans that are roasted locally every Tuesday in Mornington, and the coffee we serve in our bar. Other items are used right in our guest’s rooms, like the luxury Appelles brand of amenities – if guests love their shampoo and conditioner, they can buy full sized bottles and take them home.

What are the key takeaways you want to share with the community?

Moonah is such a unique resort that attracts so many different market segments and demographics – from golfers to corporate guests and of course the leisure traveller whether they be families, couples or groups of friends. Our challenge is to cater for the wide and varied interests of everyone and we are fortunate enough to have such a great range of facilities from the courses to the day spa.

I think it’s important for all guests to know how committed we are to the region; while we are one of the largest and busiest accommodation providers on the Mornington Peninsula, we recognise that it is the area itself that is the draw card, and we are constantly striving to better our service and our offerings to ensure our guests have the best possible experience while here.

Thanks Kelly. If you’re interested in learning more about these suppliers and their products and relationship with Moonah Links, contact us today!

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