International hotel brand expands its Brisbane offering

With the 2032 Olympic Games on the horizon, the hotel landscape in Brisbane is in a state of flux.

Accor, Australia's largest hospitality group, this week announced the signing of Novotel Brisbane City Centre in the space that was previously Capri by Fraser.

Opening on November 1, the hotel will become become Accor's 22nd hotel in the city.

As the Queensland capital prepares to welcome the world for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the arrival of another globally recognised hotel brand supports its growing profile as a major tourism, business and events destination.

The 239-room hotel is owned by Frasers Hospitality and will operate under Accor management, further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two groups. The existing partnership includes Novotel Melbourne on Collins and Novotel Sydney Darling Square.

Located in Brisbane's CBD, close to Queen Street Mall and the City Botanic Gardens, Novotel Brisbane City Centre features three meeting rooms, a restaurant, 24-hour gym and yoga room, indoor heated swimming pool, steam room and sauna.



“Novotel Brisbane City Centre is opening at a defining moment for the region,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region.

“With major investment in infrastructure, tourism and events underway, we see enormous potential for Brisbane over the coming decade. Our focus is on ensuring we have the right brands in the right locations to meet that growth, and we are delighted to expand both our Novotel network and our partnership with Frasers Hospitality.”

Novotel Brisbane City Centre joins a global network of more than 630 Novotel properties across 70 countries.

The hotel's opening offer has rooms from $262 per night. See ALL.com.

Perth gains a third Mercure hotel

Booming Perth has a new accommodation option with the opening of Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park.

The new hotel is the third Mercure property in Western Australia.

Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park is said to offer "contemporary accommodation designed for both business and leisure travellers".

It features 70 guest rooms and a spacious suite, with somet rooms boasting private balconies overlooking the Perth skyline, John Oldham Park and the Swan River, which is just a short stroll away.

The new hotel marks global hotel giant Accor's second partnership with Capital Bay Management, following the successful operation of The Sebel West Perth.

"The opening of Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park is a strong addition to our network in Western Australia," says Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Pacific.

"As the third Mercure hotel in Perth, it reflects the growing appeal of the brand and our commitment to providing quality accommodation that connects guests with the unique character of each destination.”

Peow Lim, general manager at Capital Bay Management, added: "Joining the Accor family through the Mercure brand marks an important milestone for Capital Bay Management.

"With its prime position between Kings Park and the Swan River, the hotel offers guests a unique sense of space and connectivity to the Perth CBD."

Rooms start from just $235 per night, available via all.com.

Novotel to anchor new Sydney development

Booming Sydney suburb Castle Hill is to get its own branded international hotel. 

Global hospitality giant Accor has signed an agreement with Reve Group to operate Novotel Sydney Castle Hill, a new-build hotel within the landmark Nova Rêve mixed-use precinct north-west of the city. 

Scheduled to open in early 2029, the hotel will feature 143 rooms along with restaurants, cafes and bars including elevated dining with district views, a fitness centre, pool, and conference and events facilities. 

I don't see the Hills District as a holiday venue, so the hotel will likely cater for functions and conferences. 

The Hills District is one of Greater Sydney's fastest-growing precincts and the new hotel will be located within walking distance of Castle Towers and Castle Hill Metro Station. 

“The signing of Novotel Sydney Castle Hill is a testament to the resilient demand for trusted, internationally recognised hospitality brands in key economic and lifestyle corridors across the Asia-Pacific region," said Duncan O'Rourke, Chief Executive Officer, MEA APAC, Accor.

"As urban dynamics shift, integrated mixed-use precincts like Nova Rêve are becoming the blueprint for modern living and travel. By partnering with Reve Group, we are not only expanding our footprint in Australia but also reinforcing our commitment to delivering versatile, high-quality hospitality hubs that serve both global travellers and thriving local communities."

The hotel is being developed by Reve Group, a Hills District-based developer with more than 30 years' experience delivering residential and mixed-use projects across Sydney. The precinct will comprise 253 apartments across three towers, rising to 23 levels at its tallest point, more than 1,600 square metres of ground level shops and cafes, and almost an acre of landscaped communal gardens. 

The Novotel brand has more than 620 hotels in 70 countries. See group.accor.com

Movenpick hotel brand booming in Australia and New Zealand

The Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brand is booming - no surprise as Australians look for casual but professional hotel experiences.

The Accor Group has announced the signing of Mövenpick Hotel Adelaide - a complete reimagining of what is currently the Peppers Waymouth Adelaide.

The property on Waymouth Street has undergone a significant refurbishment across rooms, suites, shared spaces, and a contemporary restaurant.

Further enhancements to corridors and guest rooms are coming with the hotel set to reopen under its new guise in December.

That will a total of five Mövenpick properties across Australia and New Zealand, alongside Melbourne, Hobart, Auckland, and Wellington.

Established in 1948, Mövenpick evolved from a restaurant concept in Switzerland into a global brand with more than 140 hotels across 40+ countries.

“We are proud to partner with Accor to bring Mövenpick to Adelaide”, said Domenic Mattioli, founder of owners the Mattioli Group.

“The hotel has already undergone a significant transformation, and this next chapter allows us to build on that investment with a brand that is globally recognised for its warmth, quality and ability to bring people together.

"Mövenpick's focus on generous hospitality and meaningful guest experiences aligns closely with our vision for the property and its role within the city.”

Accor is, naturally, excited.

“Adelaide is a dynamic city with a strong cultural and culinary identity, making it a natural fit for Mövenpick” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Pacific.

“This signing allows us to introduce a brand that resonates with today's travellers - one that brings people together through generous hospitality, shared experiences and a genuine sense of place.”

Tauranga gets its first international hotel brand

Tauranga, the fifth-biggest city in New Zealand and heartbeat of the Bay of Plenty, has never had an international hotel. Until this week. 

New Zealand's largest hotel operator, Accor, has just opened Mercure Tauranga, marking the global giant's arrival in the region. 

Formerly Hotel Armitage and Conference Centre - located in the heart of Tauranga's CBD - the 80-room hotel has been refurbed and rebranded as a Mercure after a multi-million-dollar project. 

Accor's New Zealand portfolio now comprises 49 hotels. 

Adrian Williams, Accor's Chief Operating Officer in the Pacific region,  said the opening reflects strong confidence in Tauranga and its evolution as a key regional hub.

“Tauranga has been a focus for us for some time," he said. "Tourism earnings rose by 5% last summer, underscoring the Bay of Plenty's strong fundamentals and increasingly important role in New Zealand's tourism and business landscape..

“As the first internationally branded hotel in the city, Mercure Tauranga represents a significant milestone for the local industry. It allows us to bring global standards, distribution and loyalty to the market, while supporting the continued evolution of Tauranga as a compelling destination for both domestic and international travellers.”

The latest Accor addition comes as the Bay of Plenty rebuilds momentum following recent weather events, including Cyclone Vainu. 

The refurb has including upgrades to guest rooms, public areas, and food and beverage spaces," accor says in its media release.  Further enhancements, including conference facilities and recreational amenities, are planned for later. 

Accor's New Zealand portfolio spans key gateway cities and leisure destinations including Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua and Lake Tekapo, with 17 brands currently in operation across the country. 

See https://all.accor.com/hotel/C636/index.en.shtml

Diverse brands boost Accor's presence across Asia

Leading international hotel group Accor has revealed big plans for the Asian region in 2026.

This includes ongoing expansion of its diverse brand portfolio after multiple hotel openings and signings this year. 

Conversion-friendly midscale brands such as Mercure and Handwritten Collection are driving momentum, while the economy portfolio expands through ibis and ibis Styles and the premium segment is gaining pace with Pullman, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure and Swissôtel extending their reach into high-growth destinations.

Indonesia led the way in 2025 with seven signings, highlighted by Swissôtel Bali Nusa Dua, while Thailand and Laos each added five, including Mercure's debut in Phuket, the debut of Handwritten Collection in Bangkok, and a new ibis hotel in Vientiane.

The Philippines secured four signings including Mercure Mactan Cebu and ibis Styles Clark,while India expanded further into emerging cities with three signings, from Pullman Dehradun Jollygrant to Novotel and ibis in Indore.

Vietnam reached a milestone with the signing of its largest Mövenpick, a 1,000-key resort in Danang, and Japan will expand into Hiroshima with a co-branded Mercure Tokyu Stay Hiroshima.

Accor's footprint in Asia was further cemented in 2025 with the openings of several hotels including Pullman Hai Phong Grand Hotel in Vietnam and Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpole (top image).

More hotel openings scheduled before year-end include Grand Mercure Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang, Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, and Hotel Waterloo Singapore – Handwritten Collection.

Accor is also significantly expanding its luxury and lifestyle portfolio across Asia, marked by several openings and upcoming developments.

Raffles Sentosa Singapore opened recently, while Raffles Tokyo will open in 2028 within the city's World Trade Center.

Fairmont properties on the horizon include Fairmont Hanoi and Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, both slated for 2026 openings.

Sofitel Diamond Crown Hai Phong in Vietnam, slated to open in 2026, will be the first internationally acclaimed hotel in the Diamond Crown Hai Phong complex.

“We are confident of another record year of signings, marking an incredible third consecutive year of growth for Accor in Asia," said Andrew Langdon, Accor's Chief Development Officer, Asia.

"Our momentum in 2025 reflects both the resilience of Asia's travel and hospitality industry and the opportunities created by shifting market dynamics.

"By harnessing the strength of our diverse brand portfolio and deepening trusted partnerships with owners, we are well-positioned to continue to lead the next era of hospitality in the region.

"Our strategy is to deliver brands and concepts that resonate with today's travellers, create long-term value for our partners, and set new standards for innovation and excellence across Asia.”

Accor swoops to sign up three key hotel properties

Accor, the largest hotel operator in Australia and New Zealand, has swooped to sign up three established hotels, including the landmark Boulevard Hotel in Sydney (above).

The multinational group has signed a deal with Bayview International Hotels & Resorts that will see Accor take over the management of three iconic properties from this month.

The hotels are The Sydney Boulevard Hotel in East Sydney, Bayview Geographe Resort in Busselton, Western Australia, and Wairakei Resort Taupo on the north island of New Zealand.

Brandings for the trio has not yet been revealed. 

“This is an exciting milestone for Accor as we continue to expand our presence in the Pacific," said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer for Accor in the Pacific. 

"These three properties are well-loved by locals and visitors alike, and we are thrilled to bring them into the Accor family. Our vision is to elevate their guest experiences through our powerful brands, ALL loyalty program, and world-class service offering.”

The three properties will undergo needed extensive refurbishments before being relaunched under Accor brands. 

“With a comprehensive refurbishment plan in place, we can't wait to unveil their refreshed identities and welcome even more travellers to these remarkable locations,” Williams added.

The Sydney Boulevard Hotel is one if Sydney's most iconic and storied hotels, featuring 277 rooms, including seven suites, 11 meeting spaces, a ballroom, a restaurant and café, and an exclusive top-floor meeting room with views of the CBD and Sydney Harbour.

Bayview Geographe Resort has 137 rooms, villas, an indoor heated swimming pool, a tennis court, a golf putting green, and direct beach access.

Wairakei Resort Taupo is located in Wairakei, just north of Lake Taupo. It has 187 rooms, a nine-hole golf course, a geothermal swimming pool, a day spa, multiple dining venues, and extensive conference facilities.

Accor operates more than 400 hotels in the Pacific region under brands including Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, TRIBE, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as Ennismore.