NEWLY OPENED
West Hotel Sydney
The West Hotel Sydney is the first Curio Collection by Hilton property in Australia. The hotel is located on Sussex Street, close to the new Barangaroo commercial and leisure precinct as well as the popular Darling Harbour waterfront, and it takes about a 30-minute drive to reach from the hotel from Sydney Airport. A total of 182 rooms and suites are available, each offering 49-inch Smart TVs, bluetooth–enabled audiovisual devices and espresso coffee machines. For F&B, the hotel has a 70-seat modern Australian all-day dining restaurant called Solander, while the Solander Bar serves botanical-inspired cocktails that can be enjoyed at the emerald green terrazzo marble bar or in the open-air Garden Atrium.
Oaks on Market
Located within a tower complex on Market Street about half an hour’s drive from Melbourne Airport, Oaks on Market recently unveiled its fresh new look following a close to A$3 million (US$2.3 million) renovation of its apartments and common areas. The property offers a total of 280 units, ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments, all featuring new carpets, window furnishings, ceiling lights, linens, sofas, desks, artwork and bathrooms. In addition to an indoor swimming pool and gym, the property also has an events space capable of accommodating up to 220 guests.
UPCOMING
W Brisbane
Originally planned to launch later this month, the W Brisbane has since postponed its opening date to June 1. The hotel sits on the waterfront of the Brisbane River close to Victoria Bridge at the western end of the central business district, about 25 minutes from Brisbane Airport. Along with its 312 rooms and suites, the hotel will feature a range of F&B options, including: Signature Restaurant, the main eatery providing an a la carte menu with dishes using local ingredients; Living Room Bar, offering snacks, tea, barista-made coffee, Champagne and cocktails; and the poolside Wet Deck serving light bites, Aussie barbecue, smoothies, cocktails and Champagne.
Crowne Plaza Adelaide
Set to open in 2020, the new Crown Plaza Adelaide will make its home in the city’s tallest building, Frome Central Tower One. Located about 25 minutes from the airport by car, the hotel will be situated on Frome Street between Rundle Street and North Terrace. Numerous retail options, commercial offices, educational institutions and iconic cultural attractions are located around the area near to the property, as are restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. The check-in lobby for the 326-room hotel will be located on level 10, while facilities on other floors will include an infinity pool, bar, restaurant, gym, as well as a 600 sqm meeting and conference space. The previous Crowne Plaza hotel was rebranded as a Pullman in October last year.
Holiday Inn and Suites Geelong
The Holiday Inn and Suites Geelong will become the largest hotel in the city when it opens its doors in 2020. The 190-room hotel will be Intercontinental Hotel Group’s (IHG) first Holiday Inn hotel in Australia to include a “suites” offering, with 40 suites intended for long-stay guests. The property will be situated in Geelong’s largest mixed-use development with more than 10,000 sqm of retail and office space, 24 modern residences and a co-working space. The hotel also will have an all-day dining restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, gym, and 300 sqm of meeting facilities including a function room for 250 people.
