Doors to open on Marriott’s first hotel in Canberra
Canberra is experiencing a high end hotel boom with Marriott’s first hotel in the capital to open its doors on September 24 and there are plans afoot for Hilton to open a hotel and trade centre.
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Marriott International’s first hotel in Canberra is expected to open on September 24 as the high-end hotel boom continues in the capital.
The industry heavyweight has struck a deal with Geocon’s Iconic Hotels division to operate the 199-room Midnight Hotel in Braddon.
The Canberra Star has been told prices will range from about $250 to $600 a night depending on the room type which will range from “classic” abodes to more spacious suites with lounge and dining spaces.
Australian Hotels Association ACT-branch general manager Anthony Brierley said the arrival of the Marriott name in the capital was “a vote of confidence” in the tourism industry.
“These companies make long term investments and obviously they’re quite confident the long term future of Canberra’s tourism industry is really healthy,” he said.
“What is really pleasing about this Marriott-Midnight collaboration is that it’s going to sit somewhere in the hotel market that we don’t really have at the moment.
“There’s talk about plans for a Hilton as well, which would be similar in terms of sitting at the premium end of the market.
“We’ve got fantastic hotels already but to have international brands coming and being part of our city’s offering is really exciting.”
Hilton submitted an unsolicited proposal to the ACT Government in May for a five-star hotel and “World Trade Technology Centre” in the City Hill Precinct.
The $220 million-plus project would consist of 253 guest rooms including 18 spacious suites, a signature restaurant and bar, luxury retail outlets, a fitness centre, pool, spa, event space and childcare facilities.
If approved it would be delivered by a consortium involving Hilton and Sydney-based groups M20 and Ledrae Hotels.
But the proposal first needs to be submitted and approved by the National Capital Authority, which has jurisdiction over the City Hill precinct.
Other high end hotels in the pipeline include Geocon’s controversial $120 million, five-star hotel in Garema Place, described by the developer giant as “Canberra’s first luxury hotel in the CBD”.
The 212 room hotel is contentious due to concerns it will put a dampener on the city’s night-life.
Geocon is also planning to redevelop the historic West Block building at the foot of Parliament House in Parkes into a luxury hotel and has signed an agreement with the ACT Government to deliver a high end hotel in the Kingston Arts Precinct.
The AHA has predicted the number of hotel rooms in Canberra will grow from 6600 to 8800 by the end of 2021.
Mr Brierley said most of those rooms were being delivered by Geocon, Capital Hotel Group which just opened DECO, Capital Airport Group with Adina Apartment Hotel on London Circuit, Hilton, SB&G with Holiday Inn Express at the Casino and Liangis with the Manuka Cinema development.
The figures also includes the recently opened Sebel Canberra Civic, owned by Accor and built by Zapari.
Mr Brierley said the key was to boost demand for hotels all year round to ensure they remain financially sustainable into the future.
“Demand for accommodation in Canberra is still largely driven by parliamentary sitting weeks; that’s the staple and bread and butter of our industry,” he said.
“The problem we have is demand might drop away in those non peak periods and if we have more rooms available, it’s going to put a lot of pressure on everyone’s profitability.
“So what we need is a concerted effort from the ACT Government through Visit Canberra, working with industry as they already do.
“But it needs to be really focused to ensure we increase the number of regional visitors in particular coming to Canberra in non-peak periods and in particular that short stay trip from regional NSW, Sydney and Victoria.”
Midnight Hotel is part of Geocon’s larger $200 million residential and commercial development in Braddon and will be one of the 180 hotels to come under the banner of Marriott’s “distinctive” Autograph Collection brand.
Midnight Hotel will be the second hotel for the brand to open in Australia, following the recently renovated Pier One Sydney Harbour.
An existing central garden atrium, landscaped by urban design architects OCULUS, will form a focal point of the hotel which has been designed by Fender Katsalidis.
Each guest room will feature a bespoke commissioned piece of artwork by international artist and architectural designer, Thomas Bucich.
The hotel will include a restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, wellness centre, conference and event spaces and a guest lounge.
Marriott International’s Richard Crawford said: “This deal marks a significant milestone for us since it will be our first in the capital of Australia,” he said.
Geocon managing director Nick Georgalis said Canberrs is in a period of “unprecedented” growth, with demonstrated year on year increase in domestic and international travel to the capital.
“Our collaboration with Marriott International through Iconic Hotels perfectly aligns with this growth and enables us to cater for increased hospitality demands on a global scale as well as promote Canberra on an international stage,” he said.