IHG Hotels and Resorts has opened the third property under its growing Voco brand in Australia.
The 252-room Voco Melbourne Central is housed within the city’s 380 Melbourne tower on Lonsdale Street, and is also the first new-build Voco hotel in the country.
Features include Blacksmith Brasserie and Bar with an open-plan kitchen, rotisserie, outdoor terrace with city views, and two private dining spaces – one of which has its own terrace.
The hotel also offers a rooftop terrace with plunge pool, and eight events spaces across three floors, and the property has partnered with local ecological garden specialists, Fytogreen, to incorporate plant life “throughout the hotel’s public spaces”.
Interior design elements have been inspired by the brand’s “quirky bird theme”, including golden birdcages and artwork featuring the ‘welcoming finch’, ‘me-time owl’ and ‘sociable flamingo’.
IHG launched the Voco brand in 2018, with the first property opening on Australia’s Gold Coast, and is also set to open a Voco hotel at the northern end of St Kilda Road in South Melbourne in 2023.
Recent European openings include Voco Dusseldorf Seestern and Voco Milan-Fiere.
The brand is intended to sit alongside the group’s Crowne Plaza brand, and is growing through a mix of new hotels and conversions.
Commenting on the news general manager, Erik Stuebe, said:
“We have taken the Voco vision to interweave these hotels into the fabric of the city; we’ve really made that part of our DNA in everything we do at Voco Melbourne Central.
“From the moment our guests enter the striking Sky Lobby on the sixth floor, they will feel like they are in an exciting urban enclave.
“Not only will they experience amazing city skyline views from our floor-to-ceiling windows, but will also be surrounded by design pieces from local creators, as well as enjoying local produce and ingredients in our restaurant and bar.
“This will be underpinned by the features that guests are looking for from a leading-edge city hotel such as seamless guest service technology – including fast and free wifi and state-of-the art Smart TVs – and hotel amenities such as a rooftop plunge pool and 24/7 gym.”
