HM Q&A Paul Constantinou built Quest Apartment Hotels into an industry leader
REFLECTIONS FROM A LEGEND
HE’S IN THE HM AWARDS HALL OF FAME, A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA, A FRANCHISING CHAMPION AND NOW, AFTER 33 YEARS, PAUL CONSTANTINOU HAS OFFICIALLY SAID GOODBYE TO QUEST APARTMENT HOTELS, A BUSINESS HE FOUNDED IN 1988. HE SITS DOWN WITH JAMES WILKINSON TO LOOK BACK ON WHAT HAS BEEN A STELLAR CAREER IN THE AUSTRALASIAN ACCOMMODATION INDUSTRY.
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rom modest beginnings with one property in Melbourne in 1988 to over 160 in 2021, it has been an incredible journey for Paul Constantinou and the Quest Apartment Hotels brand. His official capacity with the company he founded has now come to a close, following The Ascott Limited’s purchase in August of the remaining equity he had in the business. And so, a new chapter begins for a true legend of the industry. 16 HM The Business of Accommodation
Paul, you’ve just stepped down from your role as Chairman of Quest Apartment Hotels. What have been the highlights of what has certainly been an exciting journey for yourself and your family?
A key highlight has been working with younger people who aspired to own their own business. It has been truly humbling to have been able to provide them with the opportunity to be a business owner and witnessing their growth and progress from being an employee to a franchise business owner. In some instances, these people have gone on to become multi-unit franchisees. Achieving milestones like opening a Quest in every capital city, then every state and territory in Australia, and across the ditch in New Zealand were also exciting, but not necessarily because I set out with deliberate goals for that sort of network coverage. The excitement more came from knowing that Quest was opening new properties in locations in direct response to where our corporate clients needed to be for work.
What have been some of the keys to success in creating a global hotel chain from just one property?
Quest’s ability to stay focused on the needs of the corporate extended stay traveller has been pivotal to the success of the company – from both a product and a location perspective. We have refined the product and amenities over time to ensure that as a brand, Quest has remained relevant to this segment, but just as – if not more –
