IHG has signed its third voco™ in Australia since the brand’s global launch in June, partnering with Brady Group to open voco Melbourne Central in July 2020.
Part of the under-construction ‘380 Melbourne’ skyscraper that is being built and developed by Brady Group with a high end residential offering, the 252-room voco Melbourne Central will feature all the unique and playful hallmarks of the voco brand. Guests will get a true sense of arrival as they check in at the Sky Lobby on level seven, affording magnificent views of the city as they enjoy voco’s genuine welcome experience, including a locally-inspired welcome treat.
Once checked in, all the elements of the voco life will be on offer, including rooms that are designed around the ‘Me Time’ concept with indulgent beds for a premium sleep experience, high quality showers, innovative lighting and user-friendly technology. Beyond guest rooms, the hotel will feature a pool, gym, meeting space, all day dining restaurant and bar, and – importantly for Melbourne – Barista served coffee and a great breakfast.
Abhijay Sandilya, IHG’s Senior Director of Development – Australasia, said: “voco is inspired by the Latin for ‘come together’, so we are excited to introduce a place for Melbournians, Australians and guests from around the world to do just that. We’re thrilled to partner with Brady Group to bring the third voco to Australia as part of the spectacular 380 Melbourne development. The signing continues the rapid growth of the voco brand since it launched in June, complementing the upcoming voco Gold Coast, which will be the first voco in the world when it opens later in 2018, and voco Yarra Valley.”
voco Melbourne Central will be located at 380 Lonsdale Street in the absolute heart of Melbourne, just moments away from Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Station and the GPO.
Tony Brady, Managing Director at Brady Group, said: “Melbourne is famous for its distinctive, individual character and standing out form the crowd. 380 Melbourne is Brady Group’s largest project to date and will be an icon on the Melbourne skyline, so we knew we needed a distinctive brand like voco to complement its high end residential and retail. The Melbourne tourism market continues to have a strong outlook and we think that voco, powered by the global IHG engine, will give business and leisure guests a reliably different way to stay in the heart of the city.”
Launched in June this year, the voco brand will strengthen IHG’s offer in the $40 billion upscale segment, which is expected to grow by a further $20 billion by 2025. This distinctive brand will offer owners the ability to drive higher returns by delivering a compelling guest experience and leveraging IHG’s powerful systems. Including best-in-class revenue management and technology capabilities and IHG® Rewards Club, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes.
IHG currently has 48 hotels operating under four brands in Australasia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, with another 22 in the pipeline, including voco, EVEN Hotels and Hotel Indigo.