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.

Newcastle to gain a hip new venue

Newcastle's transformation continues with the imminent reopening of the Lucky Hotel in the city's East End.

Not only does the hotel have a new fit-out, it will also have Gordon Ramsay-trained chef Stephen Scott manning the pans.

The Lucky Hotel, once known as The Oxford, is now operated by Sydney pub group Tilley and Wills, who also runs the Greenwood in North Sydney, The Buena in Mosman, the Paddington Arts Factory, Richmond Inn and Cabana Bar.

The launch party will be held on September 8 and the big reveal is embargoed until then, but I did manage to source one image (above).

Exposed bricks will pay homage to the Lucky's past - the hotel dates back to 1880 - while new concrete structures will lead to what is promised to be "one of the best beer gardens in the country" with a three-storey atrium and living green wall.

The revitalisation has been curated by interior designer Sandy Grice, who has worked for Merivale, QT and Pullman Resorts.

“We wanted our guests - whether repeat visitors or new - to feel familiar with the venue but also provide a lot of surprises," says general manager Drew Parsons.

"We took a lot of influence from photographer Slim Aarons to the Racquet Club from 1930’s Palm Springs. There is something new behind every door, a lot to look at and a lot of fun."

Acquired by Sydney businessman Martin Scott in early 2022, The Lucky will have a gourmet focus.

“We seek out the best pubs in great locations and basically do a number on them," says Tilley & Wills CEO Nick Wills.

"We add our touch which means great food, excellent drinks lists, and hire the best people in the business. This site gave us the perfect foray into creating Sydney-style pub hospitality in regional NSW’s largest city.”

Chef Scott spent several years in London working under Gordon Ramsay where he started as sous chef at The Warrington in Maida Vale, progressing through the ranks to Claridge’s then into Maze Grill in Mayfair.

Scott returned to Australia in 2016 to head up Matt Kemp’s new kitchen at the Charring Cross Hotel before moving across to the Matt Moran stable as head chef at The Paddington Inn.

“I was attracted by the vision of the team and new owners wanting to move beyond standard pub grub and offer something more akin to our contemporary capital city and international gastro-pubs," he says.

"We have some of the best produce in the country on our doorstep and we intend on showcasing it."

Wills adds: “It seems like in the blink of an eye this part of the city of Newcastle has just been totally transformed, it’s bustling with cool restaurants, bars, cafes, delis, hip hotels." 

The accommodation comprises 30 guest suites with courtyard or city views, all with updated en-suite bathrooms.

The hotel will be open seven days a week with the kitchen and garden courtyard open for lunch and dinner.

See theluckyhotel.com.au

Image: A sneak peek through the curtains from a room looking into the courtyard. David Griffen Photography.