Choice Hotels has doubled its portfolio of branded properties in South Australia over the past three years with Comfort Inn Whyalla the latest to come onboard.
The group now has 19 hotels operating in the state including the popular Ascend, Quality, Comfort and Econo Lodge brands.
“South Australia has done a great job of stimulating domestic travel over the past 12 months, with some of the strongest regional recovery figures in the group. Having Comfort Inn Whyalla join the group just adds to our stellar portfolio in the state,” said Choice Hotels Asia Pacific CEO Trent Fraser.
The 40-room hotel includes an outdoor pool, sauna, and onsite restaurant.
It’s Choice’s fifth franchisee agreement with M&G Hotel Group, joining Comfort Inn Regal Park, Comfort Inn Suites Manhattan, Quality Inn O’Connell, and the Comfort Inn Glenelg.
“For us, Choice Hotels is aligned with our core values, and that is to deliver consistent, honest, reliable, and personable experiences for all of our house guests across all properties,” M&G Hotel Group CEO, Greg Winston, said.
“Over the last seven years we have progressed from one Choice Hotel to five. The Choice Hotels brands have delivered corporate segment status and assisted myself and my team to grow professionally, with access to the full toolbox of resources offered to franchisees.”
Choice Hotels also welcomed Melbourne’s Canterbury International, a former Clarion-branded property, back to the group this October after a four-year break operating as an independent hotel.
It will operate as Quality Hotel Canterbury International and Fraser expects it will become a landmark property in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Despite many hotels reporting record rates and occupancies, Fraser says it’s still a tough market, and pointed to the benefits of a franchise model.
“The influx of new franchisee signings over the last three years proves the value of the franchise model for mid-range properties,” he said.
“Many of the new hotels, including Comfort Inn Whyalla, are part of ownership groups that already have a number of properties with us and understand the great benefits we bring to their existing hotels.”