Devonport’s latest luxury accommodation offering

A new luxury hotel in the state’s North West will be welcoming guests by the year’s end. Take a sneak peek >>

THE opening of a new $40m luxury hotel in Tasmania’s sea gateway will provide a much-needed high-end accommodation option in a city which tourism experts say is now reaching maturity.

Accor, together with Singapore’s Fragrance Group, will open the new Novotel Devonport later this year.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said it had been more than a decade since there had been a major hotel development in the North West and there was a “massive catch up” needed.

“This international brand coming to the North West shows it is reaching maturity as a destination,” Mr Martin said.

“It will also be one of the first things passengers on the Spirit of Tasmania will see as they still into the state.

“The 187-room hotel is on a prime site overlooking the Mersey River and near the city’s new elevated walkway.

It will feature a restaurant and bar, 24-hour room service, fitness centre, and a meeting room for up to 20 delegates.

Fragrance Group new hotel development under construction in Devonport. Picture: Rob Burnett

Accor said the Lyons Architecture-designed hotel was intended to act as a horizontal

land bridge – visually connecting the river to the city.

“The hotel seemingly floats above its parkland setting as a striking elevated structure propped on sculptural columns,” the company said.

Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff said the privately funded hotel was one of the most significant tourism investments to happen in the region.

A new hotel was part of the Devonport City Council’s Living City master plan, adopted in 2014.

An artist impression of a common area at the new Novotel Devonport.

An artist impression of a guest room at the new Novotel Devonport.

An artist impression of a guest room at the common area Novotel Devonport.

Ms Rockliff said the hotel would complement the council’s $17m Waterfront Park project and the increased accommodation capacity would be a foundation stone for new growth.

“Living City was a 10-year plus vision to create a new Devonport – a bold new future, valuing all that was good about the city, yet recognising that there was potential to aim higher,” Ms Rockliff said.

“It is more than new buildings. It provides new opportunities, new tourist draw cards and new experiences.”

She said Rex Airlines’ recent announcement of a return to Devonport Airport in August was a further vote of confidence in the city.

Accor Pacific CEO Sarah Derry said the popular international hotel brand would expose Devonport and the greater region to a broader market and contribute to the region’s ability to attract major conferences, events and groups.

Ms Derry said Devon[port had historically been undersupplied with quality accommodation offerings despite being a major gateway for tourism and trade.

Novotel Devonport is the fifth hotel Fragrance Group CEO James Koh had partnered with Accor on in Australia. It will offer standard, superior and deluxe guestrooms, along executive suites.

The hotel is also collaborating with local photographer Nuala Byrne to create a striking mural of North West Tasmanian scenery that will be featured behind the bedhead in each guestroom.