Victoria’s first hotel above a shopping centre rises at Eastland in Ringwood
VICTORIA’S first hotel above a major shopping centre opens in a few weeks and we have been given a sneak peek inside the 120-room development that soars high above Eastland.
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IT’S not open for another two weeks, but here’s an early look at the state’s first hotel on top of a shopping centre.
The five-storey Sage Hotel, which rises above Eastland, boasts 120 rooms, a 95-seat restaurant, a bar, boardroom, function room and co-working space for 80 people.
Its position provides sweeping views of the Dandenong Ranges and eastern suburbs.
The hotel will employ more than 45 staff and hotel general manager Marcus Dudley said most of them were locals.
“It makes sense for us because we want to bring that to the community; we want people who know the local area pretty well,” he said.
Mr Dudley said being based halfway between the CBD and the Yarra Valley, it targeted transient workers, tourists and wedding guests.
“We see it as a mix of possibilities,” he said.
“It’s very important not to try and put all your eggs into one basket; and not just be a corporate hotel or a leisure hotel.
“That’s the great thing about Ringwood — it gives you both opportunities.
“We see corporate companies who have key offices or satellite offices in the local business parks in the eastern suburbs, from Glen Waverley to Doncaster and Ringwood.
“We also see a great opportunity for the weekends, the connectivity to Eastland and also Yarra Valley weddings.
“In my opinion, there are not enough accommodation options in the Yarra Valley at the moment.”
The hotel is Sage’s first in Victoria and Mr Dudley said Ringwood provided a competitive edge.
“Ringwood was an easy choice for us because it’s such a bustling and growing environment,” he said.
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“Eastland, also, is a great product. It’s been finished extremely well in terms of the building and the fitout, and it marries well with us and where we want to take our brand.”
Melbourne artist Mike Eleven was commissioned to paint five large paintings for the hotel.
Rooms at the hotel start from $179 a night and it opens to the public on October 10.
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