The Unruffled Team

Your Hosts John & Jan Nicholls

During their extensive career in the hospitality industry, John and Jan Nicholls travelled to far-flung islands and entertained people from many walks of life. For 16 years they ran a charter boat business taking guests around the Western Pacific islands, (Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia) the Great Barrier Reef and many exotic locations. While John ran the boat, Jan battled the often-rough seas and limited space, to prepare delicious meals.

In 1987 they decided they could no longer continue to interrupt their young daughter's schooling, so they headed for calmer shores. After extending their catamaran and increasing its capacity from 25 to 80 passengers, the couple took on Sydney Harbour. Before long they had created one of the leading charter boat companies in Sydney and extended their fleet to four boats. Their daily schedules included coffee, lunch, cocktail and a la carte dinner cruises as well as private corporate charters. Just before they sold, the staff was approximately 80 and of the 100,000 tourists who joined them each year 50% were from overseas and included presidents, princesses and international stars.

In 1996 they hung up their "sea legs" and sold their business. But retirement was never to suit the adventurous and gregarious couple and before long they were looking for a new project. John discovered a 60-acre property and was immediately enchanted by its serene beauty.
The idea soon began to gel, what a beautiful private place to build a luxury lodge. His restless retirement was about to come to an end and Jan's peaceful life was also about to change. It is hoped that the many friends they made around the world during their years of chartering will one day join them at their new venture.

Steve Houghton

Ruffles Lodge & Spa's reputation for relaxed hinterland dining has been further flavoured with the appointment of internationally-experienced Steve Houghton to the position of Executive Chef.
Steve brings an outstanding reputation for culinary excellence to his new role at the luxury Gold Coast hinterland retreat having honed his skills at fine dining restaurants in Australia, New Zealand the United Kingdom and Malaysia.
Prior to joining Ruffles, the multi-award winning chef was Executive Head Chef at the Clarion Hotel in Mackay and Executive Head Chef of a leading Italian and French restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

David Nicholls
David is Johns brother and is now back at Ruffles, looking after the large gardens and maintenance after a 7 month break while he and his wife, Janice went cruising in their 11 metre Catamaran "Jokers Wild". This time they stayed on the Barrier Reef going as far north as Townsville. They returned in December and David & Janice will be around for a couple of years before the call of the sea takes hold again.

Kelly Stannard

After growing up in Northern Queensland, amongst hospitality and yachts, it is no surprise Kelly’s life has been filled with colourful adventures within these industries. Working in the family Mediterranean restaurant from a young age, Kelly knew she enjoyed the service industry and accompanied with a longing to travel, decided Hotel Management would be her choice of career path. She moved to the Blue Mountains where after several years of study graduated with an Advanced Diploma of International Hotel Management. She then spent several years working in Australian hotels and corporate catering management before packing up to travel the world.

After travelling through Asia, Kelly spent time in the United Kingdom working in prominent hotels. Having spent a childhood sailing around the Great Barrier Reef, Kelly then discovered a way to combine her three passions – hospitality, yachting & travel and she moved to the South of France where she began working as a Chief Stewardess on a large luxury superyacht. For the next eight years she was honoured and dedicated to deliver first class service to a variety of distinguished guests and often under tight security Her dedication to service and excellence has created an ability to deliver within the luxury market and now, within her role as Manager of Peppers Ruffles Lodge & Spa, she aims to deliver a personal and unique five star experience to the guests of the lodge. Her attitude encourages the high level of service you will receive from all of the Ruffles team.