But we are not talking about our Prime Minister, nor his Canberra residence. This Malcolm is more relaxed and his domain more welcoming.
Meet Malcolm Mathie, the dapper general manager of the Hills Lodge and Spa in Castle Hill.
With great attention to detail and a deep love of his Lodge, Mr Mathie has helped steer the establishment to its premier spot as an iconic hotel/conference centre/reception centre/restaurant/spa in the Hills over the past 20 years.
When the Tudor-style Hills Lodge opened more than 30 years ago, it was surrounded by paddocks and farms.
Now the area’s first premier hotel is in the midst of a booming industrial and commercial area.
Situated in Salisbury Rd among low-rise industrial complexes, Hills Lodge and Spa is still run by local developers and entrepreneurs Garry Lingard and Lyndsay Edmonds.
Along the way, it has become a Grand Mercure hotel, part of the Accor Hotel group, but still run independently.
The hotel started as a 69 room motel in 1984 with a $3 million refurbishment expanding it to a boutique hotel in 2000. Ten years ago, another major refurbishment saw the completion of the hotel as it is today, with 97 rooms, a day spa, pool and function rooms.
After 20 years Mr Mathie maintains his enthusiasm for his home away from home.
Have no doubt about it, running a four and a half star hotel/conference centre/restaurant, is a full-time job- especially with Mr Mathie’s attention to detail.
“We are constantly upgrading and refurbishing to keep it fresh,” Mr Mathie proudly said as he showed WSBA around the hotel, which was in the middle of a repaint.
“Where other hotels or venues might wait until the carpet starts to wear before they refurbish, we are always changing and refreshing.
“As I like gardening, I like to pay attention to outside. What I like about gardening is that if you plan and nurture the garden, you have a beautiful outcome.”
With its lovely garden, function rooms, accommodation, spa and elegant foyer area, the Hills Lodge is a popular wedding venue.
“It’s really a one-stop shop, with brides and bridesmaids using the spa, having their wedding here, with guests able to stay overnight,” Mr Mathie said.
But the Lodge is also popular for conferences, with out-of-area executives using the hotel.
“Most of our clients come from the neighbouring commercial area, such as Norwest,” Mr Mathie said.
The 100-seat restaurant Nobles, open seven nights and for Friday lunch as well as for high tea two days a week, attracts people from far and wide apart from the hotel guests who enjoy the relaxed ambience.
But an establishment such as Hills Lodge would be nothing without good staff and Mr Mathie is proud when he gets feedback on how friendly they are,
“Our staff are committed to being friendly and helpful. Some have been here longer than I have,” he said.
