Melbourne says ‘Hola’ to new international hotel brand

The world’s largest hotels chain, Marriott International, is bringing its Spanish-inspired AC Hotels brand to Australia.

The company has announced development of the 200-room AC Hotel by Marriott as part of a major urban regeneration precinct for Melbourne’s Southbank.

Marriott follows Accor as the latest global hotelier looking to capitalise on Australia’s tourism boom through a foray into the under-resourced local market.

[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”27469″ align=”left” padding=”10″]The new upmarket leisure hotel is slated for opening in 2020 and marks Marriott International’s second major hotel deal with precinct developer Capital Alliance in the city – the Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands is currently under construction.

AC Hotels was founded by Spanish hotelier Antonio Catalan in 1988, who grew it into one of the most successful hotel companies in Spain and then across Europe.

A joint venture with Marriott International in 2011 created AC Hotels by Marriott, a collection designed to “celebrate classic modern design that is inspired by the urban locale and the brand’s Spanish roots”.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Capital Alliance to bring a new lifestyle brand to Melbourne and Australia,” said Richard Crawford, Marriott International’s senior director of development for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific.

“The AC Melbourne Southbank underscores the growing demand we’re seeing in Australia for premium lifestyle hotels that offer style and functional design, as well as authentic and memorable travel experiences connected to the location.”

AC Melbourne Southbank will be located in Normanby Melbourne, a 40-storey mixed-use building featuring high-end apartments, dining venues and shopping close to Melbourne’s city centre.

Guestrooms will offer sweeping views of the city skyline and Yarra River and the hotel will feature a range of collaborative spaces, including the AC Lounge, described as “a modern co-working space for creative gatherings by day and a buzzing social hub offering European-style tapas by night”.

Features will include leisure facilities, an infinity-edge pool, a fitness centre, meeting spaces and three bars and restaurants.

 “We are really excited to partner with Marriott International to bring a new hotel to Fishermans Bend,” said Mohan Du, chief executive of Capital Alliance.

“We believe in the potential of this area, just as we believed in Melbourne Docklands, and it’s great that Marriott International shares our confidence.

“Just a stone’s throw from the city, Fishermans Bend is going to redefine inner suburban living and the AC Melbourne Southbank will attract sophisticated and discerning travellers to the area.”