Shiny new hotels being built Australia-wide are set to entice travellers to come, stay and play when they launch during 2022.
Some slated to open this year have been pushed out to 2022 with up to 30 hotels from luxury boltholes to family havens set to hang out the welcome mat.
Simon McGrath, CEO for Accor Pacific, said new hotel openings reflect the confidence in the return to travel. On November 4, Accor launched Sofitel Adelaide, the first new luxury five-star hotel to open in the city in 30 years. The group plans to open 300 properties globally in 2022.
“The opening of new hotels brings greater choice to both domestic customers and returning international travellers and reflects huge confidence in our stunning region,” said Mr McGrath.
Group COO for TFE Hotels Chris Sedgwick said the continued focus on new hotel developments displays confidence in the hotel sector and the wider Australian travel and tourism sector.
Now that domestic and international borders are reopening, “we have no doubt that the market will not only return to pre-Covid levels … but that it will experience stronger growth”, said Mr Sedgwick.
Guests are looking for an experience – something above and beyond the normal comforts of a typical hotel stay, he added.
Here’s what’s in store for travellers in the near future.
NSW
Luxe / Kimpton Sydney
In the former Sydney Water Board Building at 339 Pitt Street, the Kimpton is a heritage-listed 1930s Art Deco revival – think bold architecture and soaring red columns. There will be 172 unique rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, and innovative culinary experiences. Book now for stays from 15 December 2021.
Visit: ihg.com
Luxe / MGallery, The Porter House Hotel Sydney
This mixed-use development on Bathurst Street will comprise a 36-storey tower with 121 hotel rooms on the first nine levels and residential apartments above. The tower has been designed to complement the existing 1870s heritage-listed Porter House next door. A pool and fitness centre, two restaurants and a fourth-floor bar with roving art gallery are also planned. The hotel is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2022.
Visit: all.accor.com
Luxe / W Sydney
Set to be the largest W Hotel globally and the group’s third hotel in Australia, W Sydney will have 586 stylish guestrooms, suites and studios, with stellar harbour views. Expect a glamorous two-storey rooftop bar, heated infinity pool, a day spa and gym, all-day dining restaurant, Living Room Bar, Food Truck and direct access to Darling Harbour waterfront precinct. It’s expected to open in the third quarter of 2022.
Visit: marriott.com.au
Mid Range / 25hours Sydney
Set to open late next year in the heritage West’s Olympia Theatre building on Oxford Street, Paddington, the 105-room hotel will have a spectacular rooftop bar with skyline and harbour views. In a former life it’s been the site of Marshall’s Paddington Brewery from 1860 to 1906, then a cinema and a nightclub and restaurant.
Visit: all.accor.com
Mid Range / QT Newcastle
Expect the usual QT quirks and fun, such as cool bars and restaurants and a rooftop haven with fabulous views over the working harbour. It’s part of the city’s extensive East End development and will reside in the old David Jones building.
Visit: qthotels.com
Family / Travelodge Hurstville
The 124-room Travelodge property is a convenient seven kilometres from Sydney Airport with access to rail and nearby shopping areas. Sharp, fresh designs feature throughout and rooms come in twin king bed, triple and quad configurations. Book now for stays from February 2022.
Visit: travelodge.com.au
NT
Family / Mercure Darwin Airport Resort
Twelve new Tropical Pool Villas were completed earlier this year at this resort hotel. This new luxury option comes with private plunge pools and luxe decor. They are available for booking now.
Visit: all.accor.com
Queensland
Luxe / The Langham, Gold Coast
The dazzling hotel currently under construction will feature 169 rooms and suites as well as the 170 serviced apartments of Jewel Residences by Langham. Three towers resembling colossal quartz crystals were inspired by the gemstone shards discovered in the region thousands of years ago. Highlights include the signature Cantonese restaurant T’ang Court, afternoon tea at Palm Court and a spa with treatments inspired by traditional Chinese medicine.
Mid Range / Voco Brisbane
Located on the banks of the Brisbane River, the hotel will have 194 premium rooms with vibrant art, a rooftop pool, lobby dining space and the Kraft bar which serves craft brews, local wines and cocktails. Book now for stays from 30 April 2022.
Visit: ihg.com
South Australia
Family / Ramada by Wyndham Playford in Adelaide
The 205-room hotel in Adelaide’s north will be the brand’s first South Australian hotel. It will feature well-appointed rooms and facilities including a swimming pool, gym, restaurant and sports bar. It’s within easy walking distance of the CBD and is expected to open at the end of 2022.
Visit: wyndhamhotels.com
Family / Vibe Hotel Adelaide
What’s the vibe? This is a 19-storey glass-fronted tower with 119 rooms on Flinders Street. Cool down in the stylish suspended bridge pool that connects the hotel to the neighbouring ONE Apartments. It is slated to open in November 2022.
Visit: tfehotels.com
Luxe / Oscar Seppeltsfield
A six-star $50 million luxury hotel is planned for the Barossa wine region. The 12-storey building will have 71 rooms, suites and penthouses plus a sky bar with 360-degree views of the region. If approved, it is expected to open in mid-2023.
Tasmania
Luxe / Marriott Hobart The Tasman
On December 9, the Luxury Collection makes its Australian debut in Hobart. Three eras of design feature in the 152-room hotel: the original 1840s heritage building; the Art Deco building; and the new glass-ensconced Pavilion with its Hobart waterfront views. Tasmanian chef Massimo Mele leads the signature restaurant which will champion local producers.
Visit: marriott.com.au
Victoria
Luxe / The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne
Breathtaking panoramic views across Melbourne will feature from the hotel’s glossy sky lobby located on Level 80, with 257 luxury hotel rooms and suites below. Signature dining experiences across both restaurant and bar, holistic wellness spaces and an infinity pool will be the standouts.
It is expected to open next year.
Mid Range / Veriu Queen Victoria Market Hotel
Now under construction, this boutique hotel adjacent to the iconic Queen Victoria Market will be the first Veriu-branded Melbourne property. The hotel operator is known for immersing itself in the culture of its inner-city locations and paying tribute to the original site. Opening late 2022.
Visit: veriu.com.au
Mid Range / Peppers Richmond
On historic Bridge Road in the vibrant inner-Melbourne suburb Richmond, this 80-room hotel will sport an impressive rooftop bar. Enjoy a cocktail overlooking the skyline, the MCG and the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens.
Visit: peppers.com.au
Mid Range / Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Pentridge
From next year, the 110 Adina Apartment Hotel will be at home in the former Division B, Pentridge Prison. You can bunker down in a historic converted cell, with all the comforts of a hotel. The contemporary design seamlessly blends with the Coburg prison’s heritage.
Visit: adinahotels.com
Mid Range / Hotel Indigo Melbourne
The 170-room hotel in Melbourne’s eclectic and heritage-listed Docklands waterfront precinct will have a resort-style pool and neighbourhood restaurant and bar.
Visit: ihg.com
Family / Nesuto Docklands
Slated to open in 2023 in the open-air precinct of The District Docklands, this 211-apartment hotel is the first development for Nesuto in Victoria. The development’s studios and apartments, which will have one or two bedrooms, have
been designed with fully equipped kitchens, open-plan living and dining spaces and internal laundries.
Visit: nesuto.com
WA
Family / Hilton Garden Inn Busselton
The 112-room hotel, nine kilometres from Busselton Margaret River Airport, will have ocean views across Geographe Bay and Busselton Jetty. There will be an all-day dining restaurant, handcrafted cocktails and craft beers. It is expected to open in 2022.
Visit: hilton.com
ACT
Family / Manuka Hotel
The second stage of the multimillion-dollar Manuka Hotel development has recently been approved. The project on the former Capitol Theatre site in Canberra’s inner south will include a 122-room hotel over four levels, a restaurant, gym and pool as well as a ballroom and cinema complex. An opening date has not been announced.