Iconic getaway renamed in “unprecedented” hotel building blitz

Australia is experiencing an accommodation boom as a series of new hotels are announced, iconic properties undergo refurbishments – and an entire tropical island is rebranded.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement to take over Hayman Island, one of the spectacular Whitsunday Islands off the coast of central Queensland, and brand it ‘Hayman Island, by InterContinental’.

A 166-room hotel is the only property on the 400-hectare island and will be refurbished to reopen in 2019 as a luxury showcase for IHG in “one of the world’s most unique locations, accessible via Hamilton Island and then by either luxury vessel or helicopter”.

[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”27469″ align=”left” padding=”10″]The agreement with owners Mulpha Australia Limited sees IHG continue with a long-term arrangement between the pair to manage both InterContinental Sydney and InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort.

The InterContinental Sydney will undergo a major upgrade to add event spaces, including a grand ballroom with views over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, with Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove also scheduled for a facelift.

The perennial Sydney favourite Sheraton on the Park will elevate its events space with a $3m refresh of its dedicated meetings and events floor, which includes 17 “versatile and contemporary designed event spaces perfect for small, intimate or large occasions”.

The upgrade of the Grand Ballroom, Hyde Park Room, Phillip Room and pre-function area on the second floor will begin next month and follows the recently completed $45million refurbishment of the hotel’s 558 guest rooms and executive club lounge.

Quest Apartment Hotels, meanwhile, has announced the opening of five new Melbourne hotels within the Melbourne metro area over the next seven months to cater for extended-stay business travellers.

In addition to the newly launched Quest Maribyrnong and Quest Epping, the group will be opening properties in Notting Hill, St Kilda Road and NewQuay, creating an estimated 125 new hospitality roles.

The new additions bring Quest’s total number of Melbourne properties to 47, offering 3,169 rooms across the city.

Quest general manager for growth James Shields described the city’s building activity as “unprecedented”, but necessary to meet the future needs of its valued guests.

“Melbourne has long been recognised as the most liveable city in the world, and is attracting more and more residents and investment. This growth, paired with the continued urbanisation of the metro area presents a huge opportunity for new Quest properties,” he said.