Thai hotel group Amora Hotels and Resorts to renovate Adelaide’s largest hotel
Adelaide's hospitality landscape is expected to shift again after Thai hotel group Amora Hotels and Resorts announced a $40 million investment to acquire and renovate the city's largest hotel. The 377-room property, currently known as the Hilton Adelaide, will be rebranded and upgraded to a luxury five-star establishment.
The move comes as Hilton prepares to vacate the prominent Victoria Square tower in June 2026, marking the end of its 40-plus year management agreement. Amora Hotels and Resorts, operates hotels in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne and will assume management of the property.
According to Amora Hotels and Resorts Vice President of Operations, Tamer Habib, this acquisition is a key component of the company's aggressive expansion strategy within the Australian market. The substantial investment signals Amora's commitment to establishing a premium presence in Adelaide's competitive hotel sector.
“This is a strategic acquisition for us, because Amora is expanding and our strategy is to acquire five-star CBD hotels in all Australian capital cities and also in Auckland,” Habib said.
“Adelaide was one of the prominent cities that we’ve been looking at ... and the plan is to acquire at least one more hotel this year.
“The property is pretty run down and we are committed to spend over $40m on renovations once settlement takes place. It will be full renovations – not only the rooms, but also lobby, restaurant and conference spaces.”
Hilton's departure from Adelaide next year follows the recently confirmed closure of the Hilton Brisbane at the end of this month, after failed lease negotiations with landlord ISPT. Meanwhile, Amora Hotels and Resorts, owned by Thailand's Siriphatrawan family, is expanding its Australian portfolio.
Amora, which operates the 415-room Amora Hotel Jamison in Sydney, the 111-room Amora Riverwalk Melbourne, and the recently upgraded 300-room Amora Hotel Brisbane, will acquire and rebrand the Hilton Adelaide. The family-owned group also manages three hotels and resorts in Thailand.
Earp Siriphatrawan, the owner, stated that the Adelaide acquisition, expected to finalise within the next few months, represents a "significant milestone in our expansion strategy."
“This acquisition aligns with our vision of establishing a strong presence in key Australian cities while delivering world-class hospitality experiences,” Siriphatrawan said.
“Adelaide, with its vibrant tourism and business landscape, presents an exciting opportunity for growth. This addition will bring immense value to our guests, stakeholders and the broader Amora community.”
The Hilton Adelaide has been a prominent fixture since 1982, but was sold following significant interest from both domestic and international investors. The hotel is Adelaide's largest with 377 guest rooms and features extensive amenities including 20 conference and meeting rooms, a business lounge, tennis court, gymnasium, and swimming pool.
The property also houses popular dining and drinking establishments, COAL Cellar + Grill and The Collins Bar. The sale was brokered by CBRE Hotels' Michael Simpson, Vasso Zographou, Tom Gibson, and Nick Hill.
Jonathan Jackson, 13th March 2025
