Lifestyle hotel sector booming down under, says Ovolo Hotels

Australians have boldly proclaimed their preference for lifestyle hotels – a trend the industry has warmly embraced with a string of recent openings, and a refocus on not just design but an experience similar to everyday lives of guests.

Ovolo Hotels – an award-winning, privately-operated boutique group – was early to identify this growing sector, and has delivered a collection of  hotels reminiscent of the international lifestyle many Aussie travellers aspire to.

The lifestyle hotel sector is on track to become a leader in Australia’s hotel property development. According to CBRE’s recent data, a combined average increase of 28.75 percent in new hotel supply is slated to arrive to Australia’s top four capital cities (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth) by 2022. And in just the past few months alone, the country welcomed at least four new lifestyle hotels, including Spicers Retreat & Veriu Broadway in Sydney, as well as the Tribe and Aloft in Perth.

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Guided by this growing demand, Ovolo has made Australia the focal point for its future development – a commitment that’s heightened by three key senior appointments at the company. The team overseeing Ovolo’s Australian expansion includes Mr Dave Baswal, chief operating officer for Australia, Mr Raphael Antonini, acquisitions & development manager, and Mr Gadi Hassin, director of strategic development. Collectively, the trio brings over 50 years of industry experience and acumen in Australia’s hotel property market.

Australian lifestyle hospitality demand, much like the rest of the world, has been fuelled by the growing desire for the genuine and personal. Places that feel like a ‘home away from home’ are what Australian travellers are increasingly choosing for accommodation – a fact that has propelled the rise of Airbnb.

Sharing his thoughts on Ovolo’s Australian future, Mr Dave Baswal notes: “Ovolo is really only just at the beginning of our future growth in Australia. The lifestyle hotel concept has proven its value to travellers, investors and hoteliers. Alongside my colleagues Raphael and Gadi, my goal is to uncover the next great Ovolo success story in the country. Our current focus will be bringing our newly acquired Brisbane property (currently The New Inchcolm Hotel & Suites) online by the end of 2017, but I’m excited to see what Australia has to offer next.”