Starwood Hotels and Resorts has confirmed one of the hotels set to be developed in Melbourne by Hiap Hoe will operate under the Four Points by Sheraton brand.
Exclusively revealed by HM in January, Hiap Hoe signed a letter of intent with Starwood to develop three properties in the Victorian capital and today’s (Jun 11) announcement is a boost for Melbourne’s accommodation bank.
Set to open in January 2017, Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will be located in the newly developed Digital Harbour Precinct in Melbourne Docklands.
“Starwood’s growing footprint in Australia is well-aligned with the increased global demand we are seeing for quality lodging in the country,” said Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ Vice President – Pacific, Sean Hunt.
“With our globally-recognized, nine design-led brands, strong sales platform and leading loyalty program, Starwood is well positioned to help our partners grow and meet the needs of the next generation of travellers.
“Four Points will offer a fresh option for travellers looking for timeless comfort and great service in Melbourne,” Hunt said.
The hotel is owned by Meteorite Land (Pearl River) Pty Ltd as trustee for Meteorite Land (Pearl River) Unit Trust, and will be operated by Hiap Hoe Limited (Hiap Hoe), a Singapore Mainboard-listed regional premium real estate group with a diversified portfolio of hospitality, retail, commercial and residential assets.
The upscale property, designed by award-winning architectural company dKo, will comprise part of the landmark and much anticipated Marina Tower Melbourne, a magnificently designed urban development project converting 3,795 square metres of prime harbour side land into a mixed use residential and commercial precinct.
“As the country’s second most populous city, high hotel occupancy rates and a key Australian city for both leisure and business travellers, we have been actively seeking to establish the Four Points brand in Melbourne for some time,” said Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ Director of Acquisition and Development, Andrew Taylor.
“We are delighted to announce this partnership with Hiap Hoe and look forward to working with them to ensure that Four Points by Sheraton Docklands sets a new benchmark for hotels and becomes the city’s leading upscale hotel in terms of its location, comfortable accommodation and flexible meeting facilities.”
Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will feature 269 guest rooms including 18 suites with each guest room offering guests stunning harbour and city views.
, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hiap Hoe said,
“With Melbourne’s healthy economy and status as a key tourist destination, we identified strong investment opportunities underpinned by the scarcity of and demand for quality hotel accommodation,” said Hiap Hoe Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Teo Ho Beng.
“This hotel in Docklands is a key component of our maiden flagship mixed-use development in Australia and we strongly believe that Four Points by Sheraton was the brand most closely aligned with our commercial objectives and vision for this development.”
The hotel will also offer three food and beverage venues including a signature restaurant, a deli-style style cafe for quick bites, and the hotel’s signature bar for guests to enjoy a great local beer as part of the Four Points Best Brews program.
Additionally, the hotel’s recreational facilities will include a gym/fitness facility, a 25-metre outdoor heated swimming pool and an outdoor deck area.
Ideal for meetings and events, Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will offer excellent services for conference, meetings and business guests with flexible meeting and function space totalling 530 square metres.
“This new hotel in Docklands is part of our strategy to expand our hospitality business and to further build recurring incomes,” said Hiap Hoe’s Executive Director, Tracy Wun.
“Docklands continues to evolve as Australia’s most exciting urban renewal project and with its close proximity to the CBD and Melbourne’s tourist highlights, is an attractive location for our first overseas hotel.
“Four Points by Sheraton Docklands is strategically positioned in a vibrant catchment area that will see strong demand from business and leisure travellers.”
Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will join Starwood’s robust portfolio of 13 hotels at a time of unprecedented growth for the brand in the Pacific region
Earlier this year, Starwood announced its expansion in Perth with the signings of The Westin Perth and Aloft Perth Rivervale.
In 2014 the company has opened three hotels in Australia and the Pacific – Sheraton Melbourne Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane and Sheraton Resort and Spa, Tokoriki Island in Fiji – with another two additional hotels in Samoa to be opened by the end of the year.
Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will supplement the Four Points by Sheraton brand’s already strong presence in Australia, with hotels in Perth, Sydney, Geelong and Brisbane.