International hotel brand Selina opens on Magnetic Island

An international nomadic tourism brand of hotels has officially launched its newest location as more than 600 people take part in three days of festivities on Magnetic Island.

Influencers Maddison Bockett and Erin-Louise Camilleri. Picture: Bethany Westwood

A nomadic hotel brand with an international footprint has officially opened its doors at its newest location on Magnetic Island.

Dubbed by Forbes Magazine as the ‘Digital Nomad Hotel of The Future’ the island’s newest venue, Selina, was a hit over the weekend with more than 600 visitors joining the celebrations.

On Friday, a three-day celebration with free events kicked off, including the launch of the restaurant at Selina, HOWM, a fire show, and pop-up pool bars on supplied by Maggie Island Brewery and Tanlines Distillery and an artisan market.

The event also featured live talks from local experts including former NASA engineer and Founder of the coral farming robot, CHARM, Stephen Rodan, and Netflix documentary star Izzy Bee from Izzy’s Koala World.

Corey Westwater, Frankie Ratford, of The Design Kids, Jarryd Salem, founder of NOMADasaurus and Nat Asia, of The Personhood. Picture: Bethany Westwood

Featuring a co-working space and other wellness experiences, Dean Leibowitz, Experience Selina director said the newest venue had remained true to its roots while drawing inspiration from the island’s surroundings.

“The birth of Selina, globally, happened in the jungle in Panama, by the beach. The model typically was much more about these remote locations where people could break out and live in a tropical paradise, still get their work done and connect with the locals,” Mr Leibowitz said.

While some locals seem “resistant to change” Mr Leibowitz reassured the brand “wants to maintain what is beautiful about the island.”

“We are here for the island,” Mr Leibowitz said. “We have nothing but pure intent to connect with the local community, to understand what they want to see on the island and how we can help bring that forward.”

“It’s such a magical place … People get stuck here, in a very good way.”

Originally published as International hotel brand Selina opens on Magnetic Island