IHG Hotels and Resorts and Salter Salter Brothers have reached an agreement which will see several IHG hotels rebranded and repositioned under key luxury brands.
There’s some big news in the announcement. To start with, the Regent Hotels & Resorts brand will be returning to Australia after 28 years, with InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto transforming into the new Regent Melbourne in 2030.
While that is a loss of one InterContinental, the companies also announced plans to rebrand three lower-tier Crowne Plaza Hotels to the more upmarket InterContinental brand,
Overall, the changes are as follows:
- InterContinental Melbourne will become Regent Melbourne in 2030
- Crowne Plaza Melbourne will become InterContinental Melbourne
- The site of Crowne Plaza Canberra will be redeveloped, and will see two hotels – InterContinental Canberra and Hotel Indigo
- Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach will become InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach (late 2025)
- voco Gold Coast is undergoing a refurbishment
Regent Melbourne
The current InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto will transform into the Regent Melbourne. The redevelopment will create a landmark destination in Melbourne’s CBD including multiple restaurants and bars and Regent Club. In addition, the hotel will feature a destination spa and extensive conference and event spaces.
InterContinental Melbourne
The Victorian capital will also see a new InterContinental Melbourne, with the Crowne Plaza Melbourne getting a makeover to fill the void. The elevation of the property will see the introduction of a Club InterContinental Lounge and a Michelin inspired restaurant and bar to the rooftop. In addition to the upgraded food and beverage options, there will be a new spa and wellness facility at the hotel, including the city’s first bathhouse.
InterContinental Canberra and Hotel Indigo Canberra
Crowne Plaza Canberra will undergo a exciting redevelopment, creating a new precinct for InterContinental Canberra and Hotel Indigo Canberra. InterContinental Canberra will feature a rooftop Club InterContinental Lounge and Suites with sweeping views to Parliament House, as well as offering extensive conference and event spaces together with a signature restaurant and luxury day spa facility.
Hotel Indigo Canberra will bring a boutique lifestyle brand to the Canberra market offering a personalised and curated experience reflecting on the richness of the local area.
InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach
Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach will become the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach. At present, is is closed as it undergoes a ‘re-imaging’. Set to open in late 2025 it will feature:
- a pool deck with uninterrupted views of Coogee Beach
- a new spa and wellness facility.
- beach fronting Club InterContinental and
- a new signature restaurant featuring an internationally renowned restaurant group.
voco Gold Coast
On the Gold Coast, the world’s first voco will be getting a refresh. Following the refresh, there will be a new pool deck and bar. In addition, a new kids club will provide fun experiences from tiny tots to teenagers.
Matt Tripolone, IHG Hotels and Resorts Managing Director, Australasia Pacific, said:
We are delighted to announce an extended long-term agreement with Salter Brothers, which further strengthens our existing, highly successful relationship. This partnership accelerates IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle growth in Australia and enables Salter Brothers to reposition key assets and unlock long-term value in this space.
We’re thrilled to be bringing our Regent Hotels & Resorts brand back to Australia after an absence of 28 years, with Regent Melbourne on track to welcome guests in 2030. With three InterContinental properties also on the horizon, and a new hotel, Hotel Indigo Canberra, in our sights, we’re delighted to have cemented our leading Luxury & Lifestyle position in the country.
Final Words
Salter Brothers have an interesting collection of hotels in Australia. Aside from the properties with IHG, it also has 11 hotels with Accor, nine of which operate under the Mercure brand (mostly rebrands from their Travelodge acquisition).
Rebranding and repositioning is something they did with the Travelodge hotels, and now they are doing the same with these properties. The move to take some of its properties upmarket is a vote of confidence in the cities they operate in. It also reflects the belief that post-pandemic, many travellers are looking for a more elevated experience.
