Gosford a go go with new international hotel

Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast, is to get an international hotel as part of a new development project.

IHG Hotels & Resorts today announced the signing of the seventh voco hotel in Australasia, partnering with leading Sydney developer ALAND to open voco Gosford (render, above) in early 2025.

The new voco Gosford will form part of Archibald by ALAND, a mixed-use development precinct overlooking Brisbane Water.

Named after Archibald Acheson, the second Earl of Gosford, the development will cover 5,656sqm and will include 320 residential apartments, the 130-room lifestyle hotel, a portfolio of hospitality venues and an outdoor pool with swim-up bar.

The hotel will feature guest rooms of up to 41sqm and executive suites of up to 54sqm.

Guests will enjoy views over the Central Coast, a street level pub and pizzeria, a rooftop sky bar and lounge on level 28, a signature restaurant under celebrity chef Dany Karam (former executive chef at Black Bar and Grill in Pyrmont), a wellness centre and conference and events facilities.

Marking IHG’s continued expansion into regional Australia, the hotel will be the second voco in regional NSW.

“This is an incredibly exciting development, and we are delighted to be part of a project that will transform the city of Gosford into a new lifestyle destination," said Cameron Burke, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Director of Development for Australasia & Pacific.

"I have no doubt the addition of voco to the city will help drive tourism across the region, and the adjacent hospitality amenity is sure to be a popular driver of patronage."

Andrew Hrsto, ALAND founder and director said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with IHG on this once-in-a-generation development in Gosford - one that will enliven the CBD and take this attractive regional city to the next level."

IHG is currently enjoying its largest ever period of growth in Australasia, with a significant number of new openings under its InterContinental, Kimpton, voco, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo brands.

New hotel brand makes an impact

It might not be a name as familiar as Hyatt, Hilton, Sheraton or Mercure, but travellers can expect to see a lot more voco hotels on their travels. 

Billed as "playful and sustainably-minded" vovo is part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts group and three new voco hotels will open over the next two months: voco Melbourne Central (above, April 28), voco Auckland City Centre (May 12) and voco Brisbane City Centre (May 27).

Since opening the world's first voco Hotel in Australia in 2018 – voco Gold Coast – the brand has been launched in 31 locations around the UK, France, Austria, Montenegro, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China. 

The new destinations join  voco Gold Coast, and voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley which opened in 2019.

The Melbourne Central property will be Australia's first new-build voco Hotel and will take up a prominent Lonsdale Street address. 

Every one of the 252 guestrooms feature a window that opens (hooray!), reducing reliance on air-conditioning and a reduction in energy.  

Auckland City Centre will be the voco brand's first foray into New Zealand and will boast the highest rooftop bar in the city: Bar Albert. 

The 194-room voco Brisbane City Centre will have a rooftop pool and sweeping Brisbane River views. 

voco bedding is made from 100 per cent recycled materials, while the linen produced in line with the Better Cotton Initiative that supports sustainable cotton harvesting. 

Opening 'voco life' packages include overnight accommodation, complimentary breakfast for two, an upgrade on arrival with guaranteed views, complimentary voco cocktail and bespoke welcome treat on arrival. 

The package is available at each hotel and is bookable now for three months. See www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/gb/en/reservation