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On 1 May 2022, Liam Hurley and Jordyn Tas, the newly appointed comanagers of Finniss River Lodge in the Northern Territory’s Top End, will roll out a green carpet to welcome first guests to Australia’s highly anticipated luxe-adventure, travel experience.With knowledge belying their years, the talented duo bring impressive resumes comprising education, training and a range of roles and management positions at Australia’s leading five-star properties. While both grew up in regional Australia, albeit opposite sides of the country, they met while working together in the opening team of W Melbourne by Marriot.
With a unified aim of redefining and elevating Australia’s five-star hotel experience in keeping with the property’s exclusive and exotic location, Liam and Jordyn’s individual strengths combine to give guests everything they need to enjoy a memorable, once in a lifetime holiday.
LIAM HURLEY, Co-Manager, Finniss River Lodge
Liam Hurley admits he might just well be a cross between Sean Connery and Jamie Oliver – a novel, albeit surprisingly deft combination of charm and skill sought to fulfil one half of the management couple role for Australia’s newest five-star holiday experience, the soon to be opened, Finniss River Lodge in Australia’s Top End.
Liam, along with his partner, Jordyn Tas, fit the bill and then some, to secure the coveted on-site management position that will draw on a nuanced combination of innate talent and skill to redefine and transcend what guests expect luxury travel and adventure should be.
With flair and gusto and all the get up and go defying his years, Liam is already an accomplished member of Australia’s five-star hotel game and no stranger to the inner workings of hotel life in exotic, nature-based locations.
“Growing up in Cairns and Port Douglas, I enjoyed an idyllic childhood that most people only ever dream about.”
Visiting the ‘Reef’, every other week, while angling for some of the best and biggest fish in the world have given Liam an appreciation for the natural environment and respect for its power and unpredictability.
“As hotelier’s kids we were expected to help out – I remember lending a hand looking after 100 flood stranded guests – forced to relocate to the top two floors of the hotel – fun times!”
With his passion for hotels firmly ingrained, Liam left school and landed a job as concierge at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne. This led to a series of promotions including a Duty Manager’s position in the pre-opening teams of Marriott’s glamorous sister properties, the W Brisbane, and W Melbourne, full of great experiences and key learnings he will take with him in his new role at Finniss River Lodge.
According to Liam, the comfort, ease and needs of each guest will be considered individually, not formulaically. “It is about being genuine and wholistic and bringing all the five-star elements into perfect alignment. It’s about creating a certain energy that guests will feed off and enjoy. Change or challenge!”
JORDYN TAS, Co-Manager, Finniss River Lodge
Growing up in Western Australia’s Margaret River, Jordyn Tas, who will join her partner, Liam Hurley, in managing the soon to be opened, Finniss River Lodge in the Northern Territory’s Top End, said you were more likely to come across a cow blocking the road than a broken-down car.
Jordyn believes that it was this start to life, living in one of the most iconic parts of regional Australia, that provided her with opportunities and experiences unattainable to citysiders, thereby fulfilling the job description as a perfect combination of Maggie Beer and Katniss Everdeen.
“Regional communities have a tight-knit bond and becoming part of this is key to gaining access to the best kept secrets,” says Jordyn, who believes that when it comes to tourism and hospitality, the simple act of sharing this valuable knowledge makes the difference between guests experiencing a truly memorable, versus forgettable, holiday.
With five years of five-star luxury hotel experience at Pullman and MGallery by Sofitel hotels in Western Australia and Melbourne, and more recently, a guest relations position, working alongside the W Insider in the opening team of W Melbourne by Marriott, Jordyn has developed a unique understanding of guests’ individual expectations.
“I believe in putting people first, always going above and beyond for both my guests and my team to assure the highest quality service and hospitality is being delivered. I feel the best guest experiences are built on a series of genuine interactions and moments.
“People today are searching for an experience where they can enjoy themselves and feel comfortable, where they feel they belong.”
“I am big believer that a memorable and positive guest experience is achieved when the guests, the team and the owners are all considered equal. This management philosophy is about treating each other inclusively, like you would a group of close-knit friends or much-loved family member. It is about removing the line or hierarchy between guests and hosts so that everyone feels at ease and relaxed and part of something, while at the same time having access to all the creature comforts in this remote, raw and stunning location,” she said.
Finniss River Lodge will open on 1 May 2022.
For more information and to book, visit Finniss River Lodge at www.finnissriverlodge.com.au or email
bookings@finnissriverlodge.com.au