Crystalbrook Collection, backed by Syrian billionaire Ghassan Aboud to open first hotel in Adelaide

A luxury hotel operator backed by Syrian billionaire Ghassan Aboud has revealed plans for a $130m luxury offering in Adelaide.

A luxury hotel operator backed by Syrian billionaire Ghassan Aboud has revealed plans for a $130m luxury offering in Adelaide.

Mr Aboud’s Crystalbrook Collection of luxury hotels and resorts has been selected to operate a 13-level hotel development on Halifax St, featuring more than 200 rooms, a rooftop spa and bath house, restaurant, bar and wellness centre.

The hotel will be known as Crystalbrook Sam and is expected to open in 2026.

Mr Aboud, the owner of Crystalbrook Collection, which operates seven hotels across Queensland and NSW, said the expansion into Adelaide was part of the group’s plans to expand its footprint in Australia, and came at a time of strong demand for accommodation in the South Australian capital.

Artist's impression of Crystalbrook Sam hotel planned for Halifax St, Adelaide.

“Crystalbrook Collection has invested in excess of $1bn in Australia where we operate close to 2000 rooms, including those under development,” he said.

“We are delighted to expand our footprint into South Australia, delivering a new style of luxury, innovation and sustainably-led hospitality to the state.”

Local developer Samaras Group is behind the 13-level development, which will replace a Wilson car park site just east of King William St.

According to planning documents lodged with the State Planning Commission, Samaras had previously planned to develop a 17-storey tower with a hotel and luxury apartments, but has since scaled back its proposal following feedback from government architects and hotel operators.

Samaras acquired the site in 2021. It has been used as a Wilson car park since 2016.

Samaras Group managing director Chris Samaras said his group’s first hotel development would be a “world-class, luxury destination offering locals and visitors unique experiences that celebrate the best of what Adelaide and South Australia has to offer”.

“We are excited to be working with Crystalbrook Collection in delivering a flagship property for Adelaide and an asset that the Samaras Group will proudly foster for generations to come.”

Based in the UAE, Mr Aboud’s Ghassan Aboud Group has business interests in the automotive, logistics, media, hospitality, real estate and retail sectors.

The hotel portfolio in Australia includes hotels in Cairns, Port Douglas, Byron Bay, Sydney and Newcastle, while Melbourne is also on the radar of Crystalbrook Collection, which is run locally by Geoff York.

“Our move into Adelaide is part of a strategy to grow our footprint of sustainably-led 5-star hotels into key markets across Australia,” Mr York said.

“By 2025, international tourism levels are predicted to recover post the pandemic making it the perfect time to launch a new hotel.”

Crystalbrook Collection is also planning a major refurbishment of the former Rydges Sydney Harbour hotel at The Rocks, which it bought for $100m in 2022.

The hotel expansion follows Mr Aboud’s $21m sale of two North Queensland cattle properties – the 33,900ha Crystalbrook Station west of Cairns and 431ha Silkwood station on the Cassowary Coast – last year.

The Adelaide hotel is currently being considered for development approval, with construction expected to commence in the third quarter of this year.

Originally published as Crystalbrook Collection, backed by Syrian billionaire Ghassan Aboud to open first hotel in Adelaide