Meet your hosts
Gail Smith and Frank Lockley - Paradise Place B & B, Hawley Beach
Your hosts at Paradise Place B & B are Gail and Frank. Their story is pretty much about having a second chance at happiness together, after finding each other later in life. In previous relationships Frank and Gail had lived all their lives in Western Australia, south of Perth, where they met. Subsequently they moved to Broome to start a new life together.
The beginning of a dream
The couple 'worked their butts' off for years and did very well through it. Then they started to develop health problems, and realised they needed to slow down. That's when they began dreaming about living in paradise and sharing it with others. Their background in hospitality fuelled a desire to be involved with people and led them to think they could semi-retire and at the same time run a small-scale bed and breakfast.
Having travelling in France, Gail was enthusiastic about the possibility of setting up a bed and breakfast there but, after exploring that path, it seemed to be full of problems, although she was still keen to pursue the idea. Then came a holiday in Tasmania, which the couple quickly realised has all the charm of rural France and Europe, but without the hassles of different currency, different language and different culture.
Of Paradise
The couple began looking into buying a bed and breakfast here in Tassie. Whilst waiting to be shown one by the estate agent, he took them to look at another property .... WELL!! that was it .... no point looking at anything else .... this was going to be it! Even though it wasn't yet a B & B, they knew it would be perfect for the job. The quality and luxury of this residence was something Gail says she wanted to share with others. She believes the ambient comfort draws people to want to stay at Paradise Place.
The location too was perfect, with its glorious bays and translucent turquoise water and Narawntapu National Park the ideal backdrop. Two minutes' drive towards Devonport and you have picture-perfect award-winning Ghost Rock Winery, another couple of minutes and you see the amazing rolling hills and meadows, a patchwork of fields very similar to the Tuscany region of Italy. Abundant in beauty, the area has everything to offer, including an airport, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, the town of Devonport, and more.
Aiming to be the perfect hosts
As hosts, Gail and Frank enjoy offering friendly helpful itinerary advice, so guests can maximise their holiday time - knowing all the while that they have luxurious comfort awaiting their return, where they can relax with their complimentary bottle of wine in the guest lounge or guest alfresco area. Then maybe order a gourmet platter, and take themselves off for a soak in the wonderful bath.
Although this is a hosted bed and breakfast, and its hosts are there if people want them, guests can rest assured their privacy will be respected. Gail and Frank's aim is to make a stay in Paradise one to remember.
Read more at Gail aand Frank's Paradise Place B & B website.
