Accor expands hotel network
AccorHotels, the largest hotel operator in the country, is building its footprint.
The group has announced it has teamed up with Queensland real estate developer, Kinstone Developments Group, to build a 238-room Novotel hotel on Brisbane's South Bank.
The Novotel Brisbane South Bank will sit across the road from the Brisbane Convention Centre, offering direct pedestrian access connecting the hotel with the Centre.
The hotel will be designed by Noel Robinson Architects with the interiors by SODA.
It will boast two meeting rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium, restaurant and bar. It will also provide 66 car spaces.
AccorHotels Pacific chief operating officer Simon McGrath said the new hotel will increase Brisbane’s capacity and potential to host significant events, conferences and exhibitions.
“Brisbane is the main gateway for Queensland visitors and with aviation links expanding all the time especially from Asia, the city is exceptionally well placed to grow its market share and drive the local visitor economy,” McGrath told the Courier Mail.
“With around 24 per cent of the worldwide Novotel network located in the Asia Pacific region, Novotel Brisbane South Bank is perfectly positioned to capitalise on the brand’s growing presence backed by AccorHotels’ powerful global distribution and digital platforms and a rapidly expanding loyalty program.”
In Sydney, Accor has just signed a franchise agreement with Bankstown RSL Community Club with plans to open a new five-storey, 240-room hotel under its Midscale Mercure brand in south-western Sydney. That hotel will be part of a $60 million redevelopment of the RSL over two stages. Construction of the mixed-use hotel development is expected to commence in July 2016. It is scheduled to open in late 2017.
Accor has also taken over the management of economy hotel, Tune Melbourne. The 235 room hotel located in Swanston Street across the road from the University of Melbourne in Carlto operates under the ibis Melbourne Swanston Street brand.
Accor is managing the hotel for Sydney fund manager Aligned which snapped up the 225-room Tune budget hotel on the city fringe for $52 million back in February. Aligned is run by former Eureka fund manager Glen Boultwood and former InterContinental Hotels Group executive Victoria Clent.
By Leon Gettler, 4th May 2016
