Top-end motel reigns supreme in North

2006 Northland Business Excellence Awards
Small was beautiful at the 2006 Northland Business Excellence Awards last night.
So was new - the supreme award went to luxury boutique motel Lodge Bordeaux of Whangarei, which has been in business just 18 months. Earlier in the evening the business achieved finalist status by winning Best Emerging Business Award.
Owners Peter and Alison Fitzgerald set out to capture the top end of the trade, completing a 15-unit complex aimed at "the discerning traveller" and corporate market at 361 Western Hills Dr in late 2004.
Formerly of Thames and Hamilton, they said they chose Whangarei for the venture because of the city's strong growth and increasing tourism trade.
The couple went looking for an urban site on State Highway One, which they achieved by buying and demolishing two adjacent houses in Western Hills Dr.
The French provincial-styled motel subsequently achieved a five-star rating and last year was awarded the prestigious New Zealand Qualmark 5 Star Luxury Accommodation Award.
Only two of the top awards went outside Whangarei district - the Excellence in Tourism Award, which went to Darryl's Dinner Cruises of Paihia; and the Best Small Business Award, which went to Kawakawa's Trainspotter Cafe.
Williams Guitars won the Excellence in Export Award; popular garden centre Sciadopitys, the Excellence in Retail; and Wasteworks, the Excellence in Technology/Innovation Award.
The new Excellence in Building/Construction Award went to Homeworld. Pete's Towing took the Excellence in Professional Services Award and Northpower won the Sustainable Business Award.
Booming marine interiors business SMI won the Judges' Special Commendation Award. Hairdresser Hair Razing and Town Basin cafe Serenity shared the Customer Choice Award.
Photographs from the event will appear in Monday's paper.