Gold Coast hotels boom: Where new luxury tourist palaces will be built
The Gold Coast is on the verge of a hotel boom in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics, with thousands of new rooms on the way in a host of new projects.
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The Gold Coast is on the verge of a hotel boom in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics, with experts predicting 5500 new rooms will deliver a major tourism boost for the city.
Experience Gold Coast projections reveal the extra 5500 hotel rooms are expected to be operating within seven years, with the city’s stock by the Games set to stand at 26,500.
At least five new luxury hotels are in the pipeline and on track to open within the next three years, including the Ritz Carlton on The Spit, the five-star Mondrian towers in Burleigh Heads, KTQ’s Kirra Point in the city’s south and the $500m Marina Mirage project, which will become part of the Marriott’s Luxury Collection.
Others including Melbourne-based developer Tim Gurner’s proposed 185-room St Regis Hotel in Surfers Paradise have been approved but are yet to move towards being built.
And there’s more to come, with prolific Gold Coast developer Aniko Group confirming it would have luxury hotel-branded residences at the heart of its $2bn The Landmark project at Mermaid Beach.
It’s understood the company is negotiating with an internationally renowned hotel chain to operate it.
Aniko managing director George Mastrocostas said the hotel residences would be aimed at high-end buyers.
“As leaders in luxury living, we are thrilled to introduce branded residences that seamlessly blend the high-end hotel experience with the comfort of home,” he said.
“These residences not only offer exceptional comfort and style but also cater to the discerning needs of business professionals and investors looking for a premier pied-à-terre in South-east Queensland.”
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said new hotel stock was key to the future of the city’s economy leading up to the Olympics.
“New hotel products and experiences are fundamental to attract returning and new visitors to the Gold Coast,” he said.
“This sends a clear message to visitors that we are continually investing and reinventing ourselves and our products to enhance the visitor experience and to make the city more attractive to investors.
“The Gold Coast has consistently kept its eye on the bigger picture, with sizeable investments in world-class infrastructure including The Mondrian, The Star, Tryp Hotel, St Regis and Ritz Carlton. These developments alone will add an additional 5,500 rooms to our city by 2032.
“Our city is on an ambitious growth trajectory, and we want to leverage this momentum as we approach the global stage of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games when the spotlight will be on us.”
Meanwhile, the first stage pf the TRYP hotel in developer Robert Baddalotti Regal Residences will open in coming weeks
The 4.5 star Wydnam-operated hotel will be the second from the international brand in the city.
Mr Badalotti said it was the first new hotel in Southport for several years as part of the first stage of his Imperial Square project, which is planned to have the southern hemisphere’s tallest tower, at 108-storeys, as its centrepiece.
“The introduction of TRYP by Wyndham to Regal Residences will elevate the Imperial Square project to new heights. As Southport CBD’s marquee development, Imperial Square will offer a new level of sophistication and unique experiences. TRYP by Wyndham will play a pivotal role in enhancing this distinction for our buyers and visitors alike,” he said.
“We are thrilled to welcome TRYP by Wyndham Southport Gold Coast to Regal Residences. This launch represents a significant milestone for the Imperial Square project and reinforces our commitment to revolutionising excellence in Southport.
“The integration of a renowned hotel brand into our development will elevate the overall experience for both residents and visitors, contributing to the vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere we envision for this landmark project.”
TRYP Southport general manager Daniel Sprange said the hotel would be aimed at travellers.
“Unlike other Wyndham brands, TRYP by Wyndham offers a savvy, modern experience with flexible spaces and unique, localised touches, catering to adventurous travellers seeking a dynamic stay,” he said.
“We are excited to introduce the TRYP by Wyndham experience to Southport. Our hotel will set new standards for accommodation on the Gold Coast, offering an unparalleled blend of style and convenience.
“We look forward to becoming a key part of this dynamic new development and contributing to the thriving community at Imperial Square.”
Professor Sarah Gardiner, director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism, said there was likely to be more hotel development in the lead-up to the 2032 Games, potentially delivering a valuable legacy for the city.
“Having adequate hotel stock and accommodation stock is going to be a key consideration as we move closer to the Games,” she said.
“Across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, this is the place they’ll be looking for new hotel developments. We saw that with Sydney, with the 2000 Games, there was lots of hotel development in the lead up to the Games.
“That’s really good in the long term for a destination like the Gold Coast because it provides that impetus to attract more visitors in. When a Ritz Carlton, a large brand, comes into the city they bring quite a significant marketing power with them. And that can also bring more visitors into the city.”
Professor Gardiner said business travel to the city was also likely to be boosted, with new hotels a drawcard for conventions and business events.
“When you’re going out pitching for a business conference or an incentive trip, and even for leisure travel, having new hotels on offer also makes the city a lot more attractive,” she said.
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