A Playground in Paradise

Hospitality taken to a new level catering to its valued customer-base

Townsville’s waterfront skyline has changed dramatically over the past decade, and much of that evolution is thanks to the transformational efforts of The Ville Resort-Casino, Ardo, and their parent company, Morris Group. Under the stewardship of founder Chris Morris and an ambitious executive team, these properties are redefining hospitality in North Queensland—elevating it to a new echelon of luxury, community engagement, and regional pride.

Tim Richardson, Chief Executive Officer of The Ville Resort-Casino, Ardo, and the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, explains that The Ville is a cornerstone of a broader vision set in motion by Morris, the founder of Computershare, an ASX-listed tech giant. “He purchased The Ville in 2014 through one of his tourism companies, and since then, it’s undergone a substantial transformation.”

The revitalization includes a $45 million refurbishment of the existing Ville Resort-Casino and the recent unveiling of Ardo—a dazzling five-star addition to the Townsville skyline. The Ville’s redevelopment modernized nearly every aspect of the property, from expanded restaurant offerings to a luxurious Californian-style pool and spacious function spaces. However, as Richardson points out, it also shifted the perception of the venue itself.

“It opened up what we used to refer to as the back of the property,” he says. “Now we refer to it as the front—capitalizing on the incredible views over Magnetic Island and the Coral Sea.”

Tropical comfort meets modern elegance

Brent Clark, General Manager of Hotels and Property Services, offers an in-depth look into how The Ville and Ardo cater to various guest preferences—seamlessly blending tropical flair with sophisticated comfort.

“The Ville has three different types of rooms across nine floors,” Clark explains. “We have Deluxe, Resort, and Executive levels. The Resort rooms, refurbished about eight years ago, have a real tropical Queensland feel—tongue-and-groove walls, custom palm print carpets, and open modern layouts.”

Where The Ville exudes contemporary warmth and local character, Ardo represents a leap into luxury. Completed in late 2023 for $90 million, Ardo stands as Townsville’s first five-star property.

“Ardo is incredibly modern,” Clark says. “It has 132 rooms, all with balconies. Eight Ardo Suites with bathtubs on the balconies and several Corner Suites offer sweeping verandas and views over the Coral Sea, Magnetic Island, or the marina up to Castle Hill. It’s beautifully designed—cork flooring, textured tiles, and an indoor-outdoor aesthetic that reflects North Queensland’s natural beauty.”

Award-winning flavour

For guests eager to indulge their taste buds, the culinary offerings at The Ville and Ardo are nothing short of exceptional. They stand proudly alongside the precinct’s world-class accommodations as a defining feature of the guest experience. Whether you’re a discerning foodie searching for inventive fine dining or a casual diner looking for a satisfying bite, the range of gastronomic experiences across the precinct caters to every palate, budget, and occasion.

“There’s something for everyone across the precinct,” says Richardson, “Whether it’s a quick, casual meal or fine dining, we’ve got it covered.” That simple statement reflects a broader philosophy: that food is more than just a service—it’s an integral part of the hospitality experience and one that The Ville has carefully curated to complement the region’s tropical setting and relaxed lifestyle.

At Ardo, the emphasis is on culinary artistry and luxury. The property’s two signature restaurants—Terrace and Marmor—have already made a strong mark on the national dining scene. Within their first year of operation, both restaurants received prestigious Chef Hats from the Australian Good Food Guide, a rare and remarkable achievement in such a competitive industry. “Terasu specializes in Japanese cuisine, and Marmor focuses on steak and seafood,” Richardson explains. “Receiving those awards so early is a testament to the quality and innovation of our dining experience and the teams that deliver them.”

Meanwhile, on The Ville side of the precinct, the dining experience becomes more eclectic and approachable, reflecting the vibrant energy of the resort and its wide-ranging clientele. With five restaurants, guests can enjoy everything from relaxed café-style breakfasts to casual Asian fusion, sumptuous buffet spreads, and lively bar fare.

Luxury close to home

As North Queensland continues to gain national and global traction as a compelling travel destination, The Ville has emerged as a premier destination within the region’s hospitality landscape. Maintaining that leading status in a competitive and evolving industry requires more than bricks and mortar—the property’s success is rooted in its ability to understand and respond to visitor behavior.

“We see robust growth from two customer streams,” says Richardson. “One is the business and domestic market. Once people come and experience the property, they’re very likely to return.” This repeat visitation is not by chance—it’s a result of delivering consistently high service standards, superior amenities, and memorable experiences that exceed expectations. “The second is the local market,” he continues. “The quality of our asset and the guest offer is unmatched in the area, and that keeps people coming back.”

Whether it’s a weekend escape, a work trip extended into leisure, or a local enjoying a staycation or night out, The Ville caters to every tier of traveler, providing a sense of luxury and escapism without needing to leave the region. This dual appeal—balancing local loyalty with national reach—has proven to be a key pillar of their sustained growth and brand reputation.

Powering hospitality

Behind the scenes of The Ville and Ardo’s award-winning guest experience is a team of over 1,100 people—a diverse workforce of locals, full-time staff, part-timers, casuals, and visa holders.

“Staffing is probably our biggest challenge in Townsville,” Richardson admits. “That’s not unique to us—it’s across most regional businesses.”

However, in the face of staffing challenges, Richardson and his leadership team have cultivated a strong, inclusive workplace culture that begins with Morris himself.

“The culture is set from the top,” he says. “Chris Morris believes in a unified team. We win together, we celebrate together, and we reward our people meaningfully. When the superyachts come into port, Chris makes sure frontline team members get a chance to enjoy that experience. When we sponsor sports teams, we make sure there are tickets for staff, not just clients.”

Learning to lead

Investing in people doesn’t stop at perks. The Ville and Ardo run a strong internal leadership development program that helps employees build lasting careers within the Morris Group ecosystem.

“We run a 12-month leadership course for nominated team members,” Richardson shares. “Graduation is coming next week—we will host a dinner, provide complimentary accommodation, and make it a celebration.”

The growth path is multifaceted. Employees can transition into marketing, People & Culture, finance, hospitality, and more roles within the same precinct.

“I’m big on putting people outside their comfort zones,” Richardson adds. “It helps build business acumen and keeps the work dynamic. Letting team members know they are supported when challenged is key to growth and personal development”.

Partnerships that make a difference

With a new community portfolio under her wing, Kimberley Wilkinson, General Manager of Marketing and Community, is leading the charge to ensure The Ville’s impact extends beyond its walls.

“Being an integral part of the community is key,” Richardson says, introducing Wilkinson’s role. “It improves customer satisfaction and team retention and helps us be the employer of choice.”

Wilkinson elaborates: “Last year alone, we donated over one million dollars to local communities—everything from school fetes and charities to sporting clubs. We also host fundraising events here at the precinct, like those for Ronald McDonald House Charities, where we act as the venue partner and help reduce their costs.”

Significant partnerships include the Townsville Fire (the city’s WNBL team), the North Queensland Cowboys (NRL), and Clontarf Foundation’s Indigenous youth programs, such as funding driver’s license training for students facing financial barriers.

“There are two major streams to our community giving,” Wilkinson explains. “Corporate sponsorships of major sporting teams, and then bespoke community support like our work with Clontarf and local schools. It all adds up to a meaningful impact.”

Master Plan in motion

The Ville is not resting on its laurels. The team is already looking ahead with a bold and ambitious master plan that could generate up to $1 billion for the local economy over the next decade.

“We’ve just begun the master planning of the entire Breakwater precinct,” Richardson reveals. “That includes mixed-use residential, commercial, short-stay hotels, green space, and open community areas—all on premium waterfront land with uninterrupted views of Magnetic Island.”

It’s the next chapter in a long-term story of regional transformation, with The Ville and Ardo continuing to serve as the heart of North Queensland’s tourism narrative.

A destination network

For Richardson, Morris’s vision extends beyond Townsville—connecting the entire North Queensland region into one seamless, world-class tourism experience.

“Chris’s idea is about connecting unique experiences,” he explains. “With The Ville and Ardo, we now tie in with his two private islands—Pelorus and Orpheus—as well as Mount Mulligan Lodge, which is an active cattle station three hours from Cairns.”

That’s not all. Visitors can travel between these breathtaking locations via Morris Aviation’s private fleet of helicopters or Morris Nautical’s luxury boats.

“So, you can go from five-star beachfront dining and casino entertainment in Townsville to remote island luxury, then to an outback cattle station—all in one trip,” Richardson says. “It’s a uniquely North Queensland experience, and it’s all within the Morris Group portfolio.”

At a Glance

Who: The Ville Resort – Casino and Ardo

What: A premium waterfront destination offering luxury accommodation, diverse dining, entertainment, and events in the heart of North Queensland.

Where: Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Website: www.the-ville.com.au & www.ardohotel.au

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