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Blog, Hotel / 14 minutes of reading

Lockdown #6 Update Monday 27th September 2021.

We regret that the most recent State Government road map does not deliver any clarity or assurances that restrictions and lockdowns will end. It is no longer possible for our business to operate under these circumstances.

We have had to make the tough and painful decision to pause hotel operations for the time being.

Over the last years and a half , we have done everything to fight for our clients, our business and all our livelihoods. As many of you have seen, we have taken our cause to every channel we could access including Josh Frydenberg (the Federal Treasurer); Shayne Elliot (the CEO of ANZ bank), The Australian Taxation office, The State Revenue Office,  The City of Bayside, the Media and the public. It becomes clearer and clearer at every juncture that we are not all in this together.  

You can view our journey over the last years and a half here.

Lock Down #6 Thursday 5th August 2021

Due to lockdown measures being enforced by the Victorian State government from Thursday 5th August 2021 , Brighton Savoy will be temporarily closed to guests until further notice.

Our team is currently working to communicate with and assist the guests affected by this closure, we thank you for your patience while we work through this period.

For urgent enquiries
 
We will back as soon as possible.
 
Jennifer Lee, Michael Lee and the whole Brighton Savoy team.
 

Lock Down #5 Thursday 15th July 2021

In compliance with the Victorian state government’s circuit-breaker lockdown, we advise that the Brighton Savoy will remain open for in-house hotel guests and for emergency accommodation needs only. 
 
We will be unable to host Weddings, Meetings and events for the next 5 days. Additionally  our Seaview Restaurant will also be closed for both in house dining and room service.
 
Bespoke breakfast baskets are available at an additional cost to be served to your guest room.
 
Thank you also to our loyal and hardworking staff who continue to weather the changes and uncertainty with us with professionalism and unwavering positivity.
 
We can’t wait to welcome you back to the Brighton Savoy.
 
Jennifer Lee, Michael Lee and the whole Brighton Savoy team.

 

Friday 18th June 2021

We are open, please support local businesses.

Hotel accommodation is available and our Seaview Restaurant has now reopened for dinner 7 nights a week.

Bespoke breakfast baskets are available at an additional cost to be served to your guest room.

Stay well and safe.

Michael Lee & Jennifer Lee

Tuesday 8th June 2021

Are we really all in this together?

Here’s our story, 
 
The Brighton Savoy Hotel is a 4-star boutique hotel and events centre located opposite Brighton Beach, overlooking Port Phillip Bay. It is an iconic Bayside venue and landmark with 60 hotel suites, restaurant, 3 function rooms and 2 boardrooms, hosting tens of thousands of guests since 1959.
 
Our family, Des, Maya, Jennifer and Michael Lee have owned and operated the Brighton Savoy since 1967, welcoming patrons from all over the world in both the leisure and corporate sectors until the18th March 2020 when the COVID pandemic forced us to stand down all our employees and close our doors for the first time in 53 years.
 
All of us were filled to overflowing with emotions ranging from grief, disbelief and numbness to fear, anxiety and distress at the health and financial implications, and our impotence in this situation, especially with many of our team living weekly from pay check to pay check and knowing how much our business helped fuel the livelihoods of many of our industry suppliers and subcontractors.
 
By March 25th 2020, Michael and Jennifer, along with Jennifer’s daughter Alexi, were the only ones left in the hotel. The building having never been unmanned in all its history, was secured against intruders and vandals and Alexi moved on site to help maintain the security of the building and supervise plant and equipment for the remaining services that could not be closed or shut off. Michael and Jennifer attended to the lion’s share of the overwhelming administration and management demands of the fall-out.
 
As a highly reputable, long standing business with representation on the Bayside Tourism committee, strong ties to the community and unconditional support from our stakeholders and the JobKeeper program, like many in our industry, we made the commitment to ensure we would do everything possible to survive commercially and use the enforced closure as an opportunity to fast track refurbishment and capital works programs anticipating a return to business in July 2020.
 
We embarked on a number of these projects while working frantically to secure additional lending facilities to manage the shortfalls created by the business shut down.
Michael Lee is quoted in the 27th April 2020 Australian Financial Review article”We employ 60 people and bring $40 million to $50 million to the local economy. But we’ve also got a $238,275 2020 land tax bill and no sales. We need to hear about an end game,” Mr Lee said.
 
Unfortunately, the second lockdown abruptly halted our refurbishment program. It also took an enormous personal toll on the family. On August 4th with increasing pain from the side effects of dialysis and loss of morale from the impact of Covid-19 on the business he and our mother Maya had built up over 53 years, Des Lee decided to cease treatment and died on August 13th. One of my worst days was the day after we closed, telling my father he could no longer come into work, which he still did daily, 7 days a week. It gave him his identity and purpose. My father came into our empty building and cried at what had been done to his beautiful hotel.
 
He could not fathom that he had survived the Nazi’s and the Hungarian Revolution to painstakingly rebuild his world in this wonderful country to now have at this advanced stage of life, his life’s work and livelihood again taken away from him overnight.
 
Although devastated by the loss of our father, his words have and will always resonate with us. “The Brighton Savoy is the tree we must always look after in order for it to continue bearing fruit”.
The increasing emotional and financial pressure on us was very debilitating but we continued to look after our tree. We were being expected to address and resolve an unprecedented set of circumstances with no templates or support from any source to help mitigate the conditions that were thrust upon us.
 
After 8 months our hotel re-opened our doors to the public on November 13th 2020. We are incredibly fortunate that we have been able to retain almost all our employees and we have great appreciation for them sticking with us through this global crisis. While we are delighted and humbled by the warmth and generosity of both new and returning guests, it is still a very unpleasant roller coaster ride.
 
We are trading well below usual volumes, and as we saw with the 5 day lock down in February and now this May/June lockdown no. 4, currently at 14 days, it demonstrates how real the risk of snap business closures, yet we soldier on and despite the adversity and instability, attempt to be confident and optimistic for the future. But this optimism is fading rapidly . We were finally on target to reach pre COVID turnover for May and June and this has now evaporated. Even worse, there is no realistic relief in sight. The disproportionately high personal and financial cost to ourselves, our clients and our team is overwhelming.
 
The mental health impact has been devastating, no amount of grants and welfare subsidies have come remotely close enough to offset the losses accruing daily nor the pressure of trying to do the best by our clients.
 
Hospitality and tourism businesses cannot continue in Victoria in these circumstances. At the very minimum, we are desperate for Federal Government intervention with the Jobkeeper program needing to be extended for our industries Land tax relief and increased ATO waivers.
 
I can only hope that in more people speaking out and sharing their personal experience of COVID that we can contribute to a more meaningful understanding of the pandemic experience and help shape and inform better responses and strategies across all aspects of our community.
 
Michael Lee & Jennifer lee 

Thursday 27th May 2021

Well, here we go again!
 
In compliance with the Victorian state government’s circuit-breaker lockdown, we advise that the Brighton Savoy will remain open for in-house hotel guests and for emergency accommodation needs only. 
 
We will be unable to host Weddings, Meetings and events for the next 7 days. Additionally  our Seaview Restaurant will also be closed for both in house dining and room service.
 
Bespoke breakfast baskets are available at an additional cost to be served to your guest room.
 
It’s been such a thrill to welcome you all back to the Brighton Savoy since we re-opened last November. Your support has meant the world to us, and your cooperation with changing social distancing and mask-wearing conditions in the hotel has been much appreciated.
 
Thank you also to our loyal and hardworking staff who continue to weather the changes and uncertainty with us with professionalism and unwavering positivity.
 
We can’t wait to welcome you back to the Brighton Savoy.
 
Jennifer, Maya , Michael Lee and the whole Brighton Savoy team.
 

Thursday 18th February 2021.

We are pleased to announce that weddings, events, and conferencing are back in a socially distanced fashion. and our Seaview Restaurant has now reopened for dinner 7 nights a week.

Bespoke breakfast baskets are available at an additional cost to be served to your guest room.

Stay well and safe,

Michael Lee & Jennifer Lee

Brighton Savoy

Friday 13th February 2021

Please note our Hotel Accommodation is open to in house guests and other essential workers as per stage 4 goverment restrictions anounced today.

The Seaview Restauraunt is closed for both Dinner and Room Service . Bespoke Continental Breakfast Baskets are available for breakfast.

Please note as a result of the lock down our Front desk and Events teams are operating on a skelton staff and are inundated with requests. 

We will respond as soon as possible. please be patient.

Stay well and safe,

Michael Lee & Jennifer Lee

Brighton Savoy

 

Friday 27th November 2020

We are so pleased to be back; it has been a delight and a pleasure to greet both new and regular guests to the hotel.

As both domestic and interstate restrictions are removed, we look forward to meeting lots of new guests. It was such a heart-warming to see guests arriving on the first flights from Sydney last week, and the arrival of a couple from Maroochydore seeing their children and grandchildren for the first time in over a year.

We are pleased to announce that weddings, events, and conferencing are back in a socially distanced fashion. and our Seaview Restaurant has now reopened for dinner 7 nights a week.

Bespoke breakfast baskets are available at an additional cost to be served to your guest room.

Our Christmas day events and our New Year’s Eve Ball are also now available to be booked.

We look forward to a Covid-safe recovery.

Michael Lee & Jennifer Lee

Brighton Savoy

 

Tuesday 3rd November 2020

After 8 months we look forward to returning with our team to what we do best – hospitality.

I am pleased to advise that the Brighton Savoy is back in town. Hotel accommodation will reopen on Friday 13th November 2020.

Our initial food and beverage offering will be bespoke breakfast baskets served to your guest room.

We hope to reopen our Seaview Restaurant and our event and meeting spaces when state government restrictions become viable to do so.

Book Direct & Save! View our Accommodation rates. 

The last 8 months have been devasting for all hospitality businesses, including our own . We appreciate your understanding and support.

To contact the hotel before the 13th November 2020  Please click here.  

Michael Lee & Jennifer Lee

Brighton Savoy 

Thursday 13th August 2020

We are saddened to advise that the owner of the Brighton Savoy Des Lee passed away peacefully at the age of almost 87 today. For more information please click here.

Maya, Jenny and Michael Lee.

Wednesday 5th August 2020

As a result of Stage 4 restrictions The Brighton Savoy is temporarily closed in line with the latest government guidelines regarding the management of COVID-19.

A small number of our team are onsite to undertake essential security, fire compliance and other essential building services. 

To contact the hotel please click here.

Friday 29th May 2020

 

We can’t wait to share this spectacular view and all that the Brighton Savoy has to offer once again.

We’ve been using the downtime to its’ fullest, including reviewing our safety procedures and protocols. Health, well-being and versatility are our top priorities.

With the Victorian Government easing restrictions, we are establishing the path forward for all our Accommodation, Weddings, Events, Meetings and Restaurant offerings.

Currently our events team are on hand for weekend viewing appointments and we are still available online for future accommodation bookings.

We’ll let you know the minute we have a definite opening date to share with you, keep watching this space, it won’t be long now!

The Lee Family

Sunday 17th May 2020

To our valued guests, clients and Suppliers

Due to continued government restrictions we are still closed. With the introduction of the Federal Goverments Job Keeper program and the Victorian State government announcement today have indicated that there is light at the end of the tunnel and clearer guidelines to reopening are being provided..

The hotel front desk phones are now attended 9.00AM – 6.00PM and our events office is avaialble daily from approx 12noon – 5.00pm.

Appointments (with social distancing) to view the hotel and event spaces are now available. Please reach out to arrange a suitable time.

The Lee family.

Wednesday 25th March 2020

We will all be back before you know it!

To all our valued guests, clients and suppliers,

Our family, Des, Maya, Jennifer, Michael and Lexi, have owned and operated the Brighton Savoy since 1967. We have been welcoming visitors from all over the world in both the leisure and corporate sectors ever since.

There is no mistaking how deeply affected we all are by the global impact of COVID-19. It is with heavy hearts and after 53 years of continuous operation, Due to state government restrictions, travel restrictions we are closing the hotel for the next 3 months. Our current intention is to be back fully around the 1st July 2020, all being well.

We owe it to you, our local and global community to do everything possible to overcome this situation. The sooner we all play our part in shutting COVID-19 down, the sooner we can resume our lives and business again.  

Like many other small businesses, we are finding our bearings and fighting the fight. We intend to use the closure to implement some exciting projects. When we re-open our beautiful hotel, it will be better than ever. We look forward to welcoming you at the earliest opportunity.

Our phone number will be diverted to an automated message while the hotel is closed. However, we are not disappearing completely and a limited team will be contactable by email, and we will reply as soon as possible.

In addition to managing and overseeing the refurbishments, we will also be staying engaged with our corporate and event community throughout the duration of the closure. Like everyone, we’re taking this one day at a time,

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us anytime.

The Lee Family

17th March 2020

Our family have owned and operated the Brighton Savoy from 1967 and have been welcoming visitors locally & from all over the world in both the leisure and corporate sectors ever since.

The most consistent and gratifying feedback we receive, year in, year out, is that the Brighton Savoy is a home away from home, with our guest experience of personalised care and attention a real highlight.

We therefore greatly regret that as a result of the current challenging global circumstances we have had to initiate the following changes until further notice.

  • The Seaview restaurant will be closed for Dinner – Room Service Dinner will continue to operate from 5.00 pm-10.00pm.
  • Breakfast Service will be available as continental Breakfast served to your guest room.

We hope that you are all keeping safe and taking every precaution for your loved ones and those around you.

Please be assured that our team is taking every measure to ensure the highest levels of cleanliness, hygiene and presentation of all our guest rooms and public spaces.

Otherwise it’s business as usual.

In the current environment we are still able to host Weddings and events for up to 100 guests.

Please support local and family businesses every where.

Best Wishes

Des & Maya, Michael & Jennifer Lee

Owners – Brighton Savoy Hotel

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