Know your neighbourhood
FOURWAYS - Get the scoop on what it's like to own a guesthouse in bustling Fourways.
Owners of Fourways-based guesthouse Villa Dór, Aydonne Samuels and Ruchan Fourie, sat down with Fourways Review and talked about what it is like to run a business in the area.
According to Samuels, they established their business in 2009 when they acquired the property and started renovations. “We opened to the community, but we always keep it exclusive for our guests as they get to be given luxury treatment with peace and quiet,” Samuels explained.
The French-style, 24-hour guesthouse allows guests to check in at any time and every room is designed differently to suit customers’ tastes.
“We were concerned in the beginning with the competition around the area, but we realised that our guests prefer our guest house as it is quieter and the price range is reasonable,” Samuels said.
He explained that one disadvantage of owning such a business in Fourways is the traffic level but, fortunately, they are secluded enough. He added that they have established good relationships with their guests who always choose them over their competitors.
“To think that, in the beginning, the neighbours had a petition against us opening but now, six years later, they are the ones people referring to us,” Samuels quipped.
The owners explained that a challenge they sometimes face is water cuts. They added that they have not been touched by crime as they do not allow walk-ins, but every room has panic buttons.
“Our future goal… is to extend four rooms in the next two years. [But] we plan to stay small and intimate,” Samuels expressed.
Business partner, Fourie, added that their business has been receiving recognition as they have now been awarded several international awards and the list includes, Best Establishment 2015 Fourways (Sleeping-Out); Best Value for Money 2015 Fourways (Sleeping-Out); 2015 Award Winner Score 8.6 (Booking.com); Trivago Top Hotel (Trivago); Hand Selected (SA-Venues); Luxury Travel Guide Africa award; and the Middle East Awards 2016 winner.
“Learning about… us being awarded was heartwarming and we would like to acknowledge our staff. [It is] because of their commitment that we received such awards. We also try our best to upskill our staff members by offering them opportunities to study further in this field,” Fourie said.
“We… [have been] nominated for the Sanlam Top Destination Awards and community members can vote for us via our Facebook page. They can also visit the Discount Traveler website to vote for us,” Fourie concluded.
Details: Like Villa Dór Guest House on their Facebook page; www.villador.co.za
