Chakra on a roll
The Karma Royal group is reviving the Rottnest Lodge in Western Australia as a Chakra resort, its lifestyle brand currently under development around the world.
The Rottnest Island resort joins properties in Jaipur, the Bavarian Alps, and Shanghai under the Chakra banner, with resorts in Bali, Italy and Japan expected to grow the brand this year.
Among upgrades and changes to the property, Rottnest Lodge – a Chakra Resort – the restaurant will be given a $200,000 refurbishment and a Karma Spa introduced. Subject to planning approval, 21 new lakeside units will be built together with a beach club-style bar.
Businessman Alan Bond owned the lodge in the 1980s but when his empire collapsed it went into receivership in 1991 with debts of more than $12 million. BankWest has been looking for a new operator for the property for some time.
Karma Royal founder John Spence said Chakra has been positioned to fill a gap between the company’s high-end Karma Resorts and its more moderately priced Royal Resorts.
"For those people who still want the sexy appeal of the Karma Resorts, but can’t afford $1000 per night, the Chakra brand, at about $250-$300 per night, is a good option," said Spence.
"There will still be some of the Karma DNA in the Chakra brand – great restaurants and wine lists, visiting chefs, fashion shows and DJs."
Accommodation will be hotel style rooms instead of luxury villas
Next in line for Chakra is 8 Degrees South, a boutique resort set on the elevated limestone peninsula close to the Karma Kandana resort in the south of Bali.
Spence is also eyeing the $13 million St Tropez estate of the late British lifestyle designer Laura Ashley to add to his stable of properties.
Ian Jarrett
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