Novotel Melbourne South Wharf to open in 2018

Reaffirming its position as a leading internationally-renowned hotel brand, AccorHotels' Novotel has been selected by Middle East hotel owner and developer, Action Hotels Group plc (Action) for a new 4-star hotel to be developed next to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For over 50 years Novotel has maintained global relevance and growth in the hotel sector, which is confirmed by LSX-listed Action who have chosen Novotel to headline their latest investment to further bolster the Australian tourism industry on Melbourne's iconic South Wharf.

The new-build 347-room Novotel Melbourne South Wharf will be the fourth hotel development between AccorHotels and Action to open in Australia, following the new build ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street (2016) and ibis Melbourne Glen Waverley (2007) and acquisition of ibis Budget Melbourne Airport (2015). Globally the two groups are partners on ten hotels.

Novotel Melbourne South Wharf is currently under construction and is scheduled to open by Q1 2018. The project is located close to the expanded exhibition space of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, providing business and leisure guests more high-quality accommodation options on the Yarra River's south bank. 

The hotel will encompass 347 rooms incorporating the global Novotel 'N Room' design as well as Novotel Gourmet Bar and Food Exchange concept. The hotel will encompass Novotel brand identifiers including Live N' Dream bedding, interactive TV's and FairTrade bathroom amenities, and free barista coffee at breakfast. 

AccorHotels' Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath, said that the development of the Novotel would contribute significantly to the continued evolution of Melbourne as one of Asia Pacific's most important tourism, meeting and events cities.

“Significant investment in infrastructure such as this Novotel hotel will further increase the capacity for Melbourne to attract significant events, conferences and exhibitions and cater to the domestic and international travel markets.

“Novotel is a leading worldwide brand that is thriving globally and in the Australian market, and we are delighted to be again partnering with Action Hotels Group and Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah on a fourth local hotel project under the brand. We believe this latest partnership in Melbourne will deliver an out-standing 4-star hotel for Melbourne that will provide great support to the city's strong events calendar and tourism industry.”

Founder & Chairman - Action Hotels, Sheikh Mubarak A. M. Al Sabah, said: “We are delighted to be partnering once again with AccorHotels for Novotel Melbourne South Wharf, which is ideally located to service the largest convention centre in the Southern hemisphere. We are very excited about this addition to our Australian portfolio and the potential of this hotel, which will offer premium accommodation with best-in-class customer service and quality in a highly sought-after business and leisure destination.”

Novotel is the heritage brand of AccorHotels in Australia since the opening of the first flagship hotel - Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour in 1991. Over 25 years, the brand has achieved extraordinary growth and boasts a portfolio of 28 hotels (6,097 rooms) across the country.

The new Novotel Melbourne South Wharf will complement the existing Novotel Melbourne on Collins, Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley and Novotel Melbourne St Kilda hotels in the city, and join the brand's established global network of over 450 hotels and resorts in 61 countries. For more, visit www.accorhotels.com

ENDS

About AHC

Action Hotels Company, which listed on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange in 2013 are owners, developers and asset managers of economy and midscale hotels in the Middle East and Australia. Action currently has 12 operational hotels (8 ibis branded and 1 Mercure with AccorHotels) with a strong development pipeline which will see its portfolio increase to 18 hotels providing a total of over 3,184 rooms by 2019.

ABOUT NOVOTEL

Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts provide a multi-service offer for both business and leisure guests, with spacious, modular rooms, 24/7 catering offers with balanced meals, meeting rooms, attentive and proactive staff, kid areas, a multi-purpose lobby and fitness centers. Through PLANET 21, AccorHotels' sustainable development program, Novotel commits to Man and the Planet. Novotel has over 450 hotels and resorts in 61 countries, ideally located in the heart of major international cities, business districts and tourist destinations.

novotel.com| accorhotels.com

ABOUT ACCORHOTELS

AccorHotels is a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,000 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 2,600 of the finest private homes around the globe. Benefiting from dual expertise as an investor and operator through its HotelServices and HotelInvest divisions, AccorHotels operates in 95 countries. Its portfolio comprises internationally acclaimed luxury brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel Legend,  SO Sofitel, Sofitel, onefinestay, MGallery by Sofitel, Pullman, and Swissôtel; as well as the popular midscale and boutique brands of Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter and Adagio; the in-demand economy brands including ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and the regional brands Grand Mercure, The Sebel and hotelF1.

With an unmatched collection of brands and rich history spanning close to five decades, AccorHotels, along with its global team of more than 240,000 dedicated women and men, has a purposeful and heartfelt mission: to make every guest Feel Welcome. Guests enjoy access to one of the world's most rewarding hotel loyalty programs - Le Club AccorHotels. 

AccorHotels is active in its local communities and committed to sustainable development and solidarity through PLANET 21, a comprehensive program that brings together employees, guests and partners to drive sustainable growth.

Accor SA is publicly listed with shares trading on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and the OTC marketplace (Code: ACRFY) in the United States. 

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