IHG Hotels and Resorts is to open an Intercontinental hotel in Australia’s Victoria state later this year.
The 106-room property will be located in Sorrento, a coastal town on the Mornington Peninsula to the south of Melbourne.
The hotel will be housed within a heritage listed limestone building which was formerly home to the Hotel Continental (known locally as ‘The Conti’), which first opened in 1875.
Intercontinental Sorrento is scheduled to open in November 2021, and will feature six dining and bar outlets including a signature restaurant in partnership with “a high-profile chef”.
Other facilities will include a wellness centre with “luxury bathhouse”, an outdoor swimming pool, and a gym. There will be three function and event spaces, including the property’s restored grand ballroom.
The hotel will be the 10th Intercontinental in Australasia, joining properties including the Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay, Intercontinental Sydney, Intercontinental Perth, Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove, Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto, and Intercontinental Adelaide.
Commenting on the news Abhijay Sandilya, IHG’s vice president, development – Australasia, Japan and Pacific, said:
“We could not be more delighted to be adding this very special hotel to our Intercontinental portfolio and we’re so pleased to be embarking on the restoration process with this great Consortium of partners.
“Intercontinental hotels around the world, all have a fascinating, alluring story to tell and Intercontinental Sorrento with its rich 145-year history is no exception; it perfectly complements our portfolio. We have been looking to grow outside of central Melbourne for some time, and to be expanding into regional Victoria with a property of this calibre and in such a prime tourism location, is incredibly exciting.
“With regional tourism in places such as the Mornington Peninsula benefiting from pent-up traveller demand due to Covid-19, the hotel is in a sweet spot to capitalise on this influx of travellers, and with very few luxury hotel offerings in the area, InterContinental Sorrento will be a welcome addition to the region and a treasured addition to the IHG network.”
