Marriott International outlines plans for a third hotel in Adelaide

The world’s biggest hotel chain is planning to launch a third site for Adelaide’s CBD as work on its flagship offering in the historic GPO building nears completion.

Sean Hunt, area vice president for Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Islands, and Adelaide Marriott general manager Paul Gallop at the site of the Marriott on the historic GPO building. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The world’s largest hotel chain has signed a deal to establish a third hotel in Adelaide as it prepares to open its flagship Marriott brand in the historic GPO building in August.

Marriott International will also open a Westin hotel on North Tce in the city’s first skyscraper, but details on the third brand set for the CBD remain closely guarded.

“We have three signed deals here in Adelaide – the Marriott, Westin and another one on the way,” Sean Hunt, area vice president Australia, New Zealand and Pacific, said.

“These brands will induce demand for the city of Adelaide and make a lot of the older, more tired hotels lift their game, renovate and reposition, which is important.”

The lure of Marriott’s first five-star luxury hotel in South Australia cannot be understated, with the company boasting more than 200 million Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members.

An artist impression of one of the spaces in the $200m Adelaide GPO Marriott Hotel development. Picture supplied by Greaton

“South Australia for us is going to be hugely important to service the corporate network, but also there is a massive leisure play … that is going to resonate not just with Australians but inbound guests as well,” Mr Hunt said.

“Marriott Bonvoy members look to us to continually grow and to provide new options for them. Some of these travellers are corporate road warriors, they accumulate a huge amount of points and they look to burn those points in leisure destinations.”

How the ‘great room’ is expected to shape up.

The new $200m Marriott hotel plays homage to the heritage-listed GPO building, with the grand postal hall to become a food, beverage and retail space.

The 10 rooms on the hall’s second level will be converted into luxury stays, which will keep their historical names, such as the ‘postal room’ and the ‘money counting room’.

Adelaide Marriott Hotel general manager Paul Gallop said it was a privilege to learn about the history of the GPO building and give it a new life that still reflects its heritage.

An artist's impression of one of the room in the Marriott GPO. Picture supplied by Greaton

“As a nod to Sir Charles Todd we will call our top suite the postmaster suite and the junior suite the Overlander suite,” Mr Gallop said.

“All the art also links back to the GPO building and the people of Adelaide.

“This is a South Australian hotel in its DNA, but combined with the Marriott brand.”

Marriott International also operates Sheraton, W Hotels and The Ritz Carlton brands and has more than 30 properties in Australia.