Accor marks its 400th hotel opening in the Australia-Pacific region with the launch in Sydney of The Porter House, part of the MGallery collection. This strategic milestone consolidates Accor's a leading position in the region of the French hotel operator. It is also demonstrating its pre-eminent role in the world of 'down under' travel, symbolised by the naming of Sydney's Olympic stadium as Accor Stadium from the end of 2021 and the partnership with the national airline Qantas for the management of its airport lounges. This partnership, which dates back nearly fifteen years, was renewed in 2021 for a period of seven years and covers 35 Qantas Club and Business lounges in Australia, as well as those in New Zealand and elsewhere in the world.
" Reaching 400 hotels in just over three decades is a remarkable achievement that underlines Accor's success in partnerships and business development.strategic acquisitions" said Sarah Derry, CEO of Accor Pacific. Indeed, while the first Accor hotel in the region - the Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour - dates back to 1991, its growth has been accelerated by the takeovers of two Australian groups: Mirvac at the end of 2011, which brought with it some fifty hotels at the time, and then Mantra in 2018, with nearly 130 establishments in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.
While the first Novotel in Sydney helped to revitalise the Darling Harbour district, the 400th Accor establishment in the region is part of the renaissance of the central business district of Australia's largest metropolis. Like a link between its past and its future, The Porter House - MGallery with 122 rooms and suites on the first floors of an ultra-modern tower designed by architect Angelo Candelapas. A contemporary building that embraces at its feet a listed building dating from the end of the 19th century.e century Victorian style.
This place was in turn a tobacco factory in the 1870sThe Porter House Building was first a shop selling handcrafted furniture, then top-of-the-range leather clothing. Now that it has been restored, the Porter House Building's five floors house the hotel's catering facilities, including Henry's Breda & Wine restaurant and the sophisticated Dixson & Sons brasserie, all of which will be accompanied by a bar on the top floor from next spring. Other leisure facilities include a fitness centre and heated swimming pool, as well as a digital concierge service.
In Sydney today, after the covid period, " an upturn in business activity, conferences and events" according to Sarah Derry, who also says that the growing confidence in long-haul travel " bodes well for the rest of 2022 and 2023" Accor is preparing to open other new hotels in the region. Notably in Sydney, where an old establishment opened in 1929, the Morris Hotel, is being redesigned and restored to become a sophisticated hotel.
A total of 11 new hotels are expected to open in the Pacific region between now and the end of 2023, including the following key openings for business travellers Melbourne and Auckland airportsIn addition to the Australian debut of 25hours, the lifestyle brand is expected to make its debut in both Melbourne and London. Sydney in the coming months.
