Best known for introducing a slice of country hospitality to the heart of the city, Rydges Fortitude Valley was opened in February this year as the newest hotel to the Rydges Hotels and Resorts chain. With an appealing location, 5 star rating and recognisable country charm it has unsurprisingly become the hub for attendees of the 2016 Royal Queensland Show, affectionately known to Queenslanders as the 'Ekka'.

Conveniently located within the historically rich home of 'Ekka', Brisbane Showgrounds precinct, Rydges Fortitude Valley is ideally positioned to capture both business and leisure travellers as the district evolves to become a thriving lifestyle destination.

Since opening, the hotel was awarded 4th in the Star Ratings Australia Gold List of Australian accommodation and was recently named as a finalist in the 'New Hotel' category of the 2016 HM Awards.

During this month's 2016 Royal Queensland Show, commonly known as the 'Ekka', Rydges Fortitude Valley is thriving with show-lovers enjoying the many impressive offerings of the hotel including dining in Six Acres Restaurant or relaxing with a drink in The Paddock Bar. Six Acres Restaurant encompasses a true paddock-to-plate approach becoming instantly popular with visitors due to its combination of intercity chic and warm country service, while The Paddock Bar's panoramic views onto the RNA Showground and the Royal International Exhibition Centre are truly hard to pass-by.

The hotel itself provides 208 rooms of convenient and luxurious accommodation for visitors attending the show. With unrivalled show-views and vantage points for the renowned EkkaNITES Fireworks Spectacular, which offers a breathtaking fireworks finale with pyrotechnics never seen before in Australia, Rydges Fortitude Valley is the ultimate Ekka-experience. 

Alongside Rydges Fortitude Valley's impressive range of modern facilities and contemporary style thoughtfully conceived with a rural charm, the hotel has also installed complementary boot cleaners at the main entrances to ensure guest's footwear stays clean after the show and throughout their stay.

Rydges Fortitude Valley General Manager, Matthew Hurley, said the 2016 Ekka has been a huge success and with a helpful dose of wonderful Brisbane weather, the crowds have flocked to the Brisbane Showgrounds.

“Rydges Fortitude Valley sits right on the doorstep of the Ekka with the hotel's Paddock Bar opening directly in the Ekka grounds,” Matthew Hurley said. “The hotel has welcomed many guests from across regional Queensland for the first time and the feedback has been fantastic, and we are lucky enough that each evening the amazing EkkaNITES sets an amazing backdrop to the historic showgrounds and the new Rydges Fortitude Valley.”

Rydges Fortitude Valley embodies an aesthetic of urban chic with an equal focus on comfort and is located in the heart of Bowen Hills, where crowds have gathered since 1875 to celebrate the Royal Queensland Show.

An icon of the district's exciting revitalisation, the hotel is situated along Brisbane's newest and most vibrant café and retail strip of King Street, and on the fringe of the city's renowned entertainment quarter of “the Valley”, with its eclectic mix of shopping, bars and restaurants.

Brisbane CBD is just minutes away, with the vibrant hubs of Chinatown, Newstead and New Farm all within walking distance, while convenient travel options exist for guests wishing to explore famed destinations including Queen Street, the Story Bridge, Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba.

Free WIFI is available for all Rydges guests, while all guest rooms and suites feature a mini bar, tea and coffee facilities, individually controlled air conditioning and more.

Rydges Fortitude Valley is now taking bookings, For more information, www.rydgesfortitudevalley.com or to make a booking email: reservations_fortitudevalley@rydges.com

For more images head to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wcraez3dr1qsa2w/AAA51mQRFAnyd7BGFWN63UZ8a?dl=0

About the Development Partners – Denwal & Baron Corporation

Denwol group is a Sydney based diversified property group owned and controlled by Phillip Wolanski AM. With more than 35 years of experience, the group has investments in five hotels, three of which they successfully developed themselves. Mr Wolanski said, “It is exciting to be delivering a new hotel of this calibre into the heart of the Brisbane Showground's Regeneration Project.”

Baron Corporation is a diversified Melbourne based property developer and owner. The group holds a portfolio of domestic and international investments and has successfully developed office, residential and retail assets throughout Australia.

Stewart Baron, Managing Director of Baron Corporation Pty Ltd said, “We are looking forward to working with the Rydges, RNA , Royal International Convention Centre and EKKA management to create a unique business partnership in this fast growing area and that as the first full service brand hotel that is Australian owned and operated it was a great opportunity for local business to work with this exciting new project.”

About Rydges

Rydges operates quality city, suburban and resort style hotels in key destinations across Australia and New Zealand, and London in the United Kingdom.

The group accommodates over one million guests each year across a range of market segments including corporate, conference, government, leisure, inbound and domestic groups and international travellers. Delivering exceptional service is a priority for Rydges with a genuine passion to accommodate guests and exceed their expectations.

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The Priority Guest Rewards Program is a popular hotel club which offers guests the ability to earn free room nights, 10% discount on our best flexible rates and leisure packages, food & drinks benefits, and reward points at over 45 hotels and resorts across 4 brands in key destinations across Australia, New Zealand and London, UK. As part of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), PGR members also receive benefits at over 450 hotels, palaces and resorts, in 62 countries around the world across 25 brands including QT Hotels & Resorts, Kempinski Hotels, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Alila Resorts and Omni Hotels & Resorts.

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