St Regis to make its New Zealand debut in Queenstown

 

Global luxury hotel brand St. Regis Hotels & Resorts is to make its New Zealand debut in Queenstown. 

Marriott International this week announced a signed agreement with PHC Queenstown Limited with the property due to open late next year. 

The hotel is set to be located on a prominent corner site in central Queenstown, with views to The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu. 

Expected to feature 145 rooms, the new-build luxury hotel is set to be Marriott’s inaugural foothold in Queenstown as the first St. Regis hotel in New Zealand. 

"Securing a luxury presence in Queenstown has been a strategic priority for Marriott, and we’re thrilled to soon establish the iconic St. Regis brand in such an exceptional destination," said Richard Crawford, vice president for Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific for Marriott International. 

"Founded on New York’s 5th Avenue more than 120 years ago, St. Regis is a globally revered name in luxury that is sought after by discerning travellers worldwide. 

"Queenstown attracts more than two million visitors annually, making it ideal for a world-class luxury hotel.

“This latest signing is another example of Marriott’s leadership as the world’s largest operator of luxury hotels, a rapidly growing segment in the industry. The St. Regis Queenstown is set to be undeniably the destination’s finest hotel offering and will further elevate Queenstown’s status as a must-visit destination.”

The St. Regis Queenstown is expected to feature an all-day dining venue and an event space. 

St. Regis’ butler service has been a signature offering of the brand for over a century, and will offer guests personalised service that ensure their preferences are understood and realised," the media release says. 

It will also offer a hydrothermal facilities zone and a relaxation and wellness lounge, complemented by the hotel’s indoor heated pool and fitness centre.

The St. Regis portfolio now consists of more than 65 properties globally. It will also open a property on the Gold Coast in Australia in 2027. See marriottbonvoy.com.

New international hotel unveiled for Wollongong

Wollongong, a thriving city south of Sydney, is set to get a new international hotel courtesy of Asian-based group Minor Hotels. 

 
Minor Hotels will introduce its Avani Hotels & Resorts brand to Wollongong with the opening of Avani Wollongong Hotel in 2027, marking Avani’s first new-build property in New South Wales.

 
Located near transport links, the CBD and the city beach, the hotel will offer "contemporary rooms, locally inspired dining and flexible event space".

The new hotel sits close to Wollongong’s central transport hub, CBD and city beach. 

Avani Wollongong will also anchor a major mixed-use development by local developer Blaq Property Group, designed to leverage off the city’s growth. 

Minor Hotels has worked closely with Destination Wollongong to ensure the hotel aligns with the region’s long-term tourism strategy and supports major events.

“Having an internationally recognised brand commit its name and expertise here is a genuine vote of confidence in Wollongong’s trajectory," says Destination Wollongong CEO Jeremy Wilshire. 

"It also marks an early step towards the NSW Government’s goal of delivering an additional 40,400 hotel rooms by 2035, and Wollongong is well placed to be a key contributor.”

Blaq Property Group has made application to increase the number of guest rooms from 107 to 140, which is currently under assessment.

A ground-floor restaurant will serve "locally inspired flavours", while there will also be a bar and events spaces. 

“Avani Wollongong will be our first Avani-branded property in New South Wales and will bring a breath of fresh air to this vibrant south coast city,” says  Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer, Minor Hotels Australasia. 

“This development will fill a much-needed gap in new hotel growth in Wollongong and the Illawarra [region]. 

"The hotel is set to become part of the region’s next chapter, offering a world-class, contemporary stay for business and pleasure that delivers upscale positioning in a growing urban destination.”

For more info see www.avanihotels.com/en.

Where to now for Sihanoukville?

What is the future for Sihanhoukville? 

Just a few years ago it was a fishing port and sleepy beach resort. 

Now Cambodia's biggest deep-sea port is awash with Chinese money and casinos. Recent reports have not been positive. 

 
The Radisson Hotel Group is apparently confident it will retain broad appeal, announcing the signing of Radisson Hotel & Suites Bay of Lights Sihanoukville, to add to its expanding portfolio in Cambodia.

Scheduled to open in early 2029, the newly built 176-key hotel will be located within the Gateway District, the first phase of the Bay of Lights, a mixed-use township on Cambodia's southern coast.

Sihanoukville is undergoing a government-driven transformation into a multi-purpose Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by 2038. 

This initiative aims to establish the city as a hub for finance, trade, industry, transport, and technology, stimulating corporate demand in addition to its leisure appeal.

The new hotel will feature a mix of rooms and serviced apartments, some with panoramic ocean views, along with three dining outlets, a rooftop pool, spa, and fitness centre. 

It is located just a five-minute walk from a private beach and adjacent to the city's CBD. 

The property will cater to both business and leisure travellers and is within a 25-minute drive of Sihanoukville International Airport. 

"Sihanoukville is a hidden gem of south-east Asia, offering a unique blend of coastal beauty and fast-growing economic opportunities," says Ramzy Fenianos, Chief Development Officer, APAC, Radisson Hotel Group. 

"The signing of Radisson Hotel & Suites Sihanoukville underlines our commitment to expanding in Cambodia's key destinations, complementing our pipeline in Phnom Penh."

The Bay of Lights development, spread across 934 hectares, integrates residential, commercial, financial, hospitality, and leisure components, including a marina and cultural attractions. 

With Sihanoukville welcoming approximately 5 million visitors in 2024, including both domestic and international travellers, Radisson is positive about the destination. 

For more info visit the Radisson website. 

Hilton hotel brand lands in Hobart

Tasmania has its first Hilton hotel property with the opening this week of DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart.

The new-build 206-room hotel on Macquarie Street in the Tasmanian capital has a heated indoor pool, sauna and gymnasium, as well as two meeting spaces. It is aimed at both business and leisure travellers.

The opening is a joint venture between DoubleTree by Hilton and Fragrance Group Limited.

The new hotel is situated within walking distance to Hobart’s Central Business District, the waterfront, and vibrant Salamanca Place.

The location means guests have easy access to Hobart’s markets, galleries and cafés.

Paul Hutton, area vice-president and head of Australasia for Hilton, said: "We are thrilled to bring the DoubleTree by Hilton experience to Hobart.

"This hotel is not only a testament to our commitment to expanding our footprint in Australasia, but also our dedication to providing exceptional hospitality in prime locations. With the property situated closely to the CBD and the waterfront, our guests will have the best of Hobart right at their doorstep."

Fragrance Group chairman James Koh said: “We are excited to bring yet another new brand offering to Tasmania with the very first Hilton-branded hotel and to deliver DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart, which will be a unique addition to Hobart’s tourism offering."

The signing of DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart comes as the brand surpasses 100 properties in Asia Pacific.

“We know Tasmania has what the world wants, and it is a testament to our exceptional destination offering that a brand as reputable as Hilton has launched here in Hobart,” Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.

“Adding more than 200 premium hotel rooms to the state’s landscape will support our tourism sector and help keep our economy strong.”