Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong opens in the heart of Victoria's thriving regional centre | 8 September 2023

IHG Hotels & Resorts and Franzé Developments have today opened Geelong's first major newbuild hotel in around 20 years – Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong. It marks a significant milestone for Victoria's biggest regional city with the new addition of one of the most recognised and trusted hotel brands in the world.

As the anchor tenant of Franzé Developments' expansive $200 million mixed-use development, Geelong Quarter, the property is the largest hotel in the Geelong and Bellarine region, featuring 180 stylish rooms (including 23 suites), Holiday Inn's signature Open Lobby, all-day dining, meeting and event spaces, plus a heated indoor pool and gym.

The hotel's fresh design offers a warm and inviting ambience to ensure a truly memorable experience for all guests. And, with an enviable address at 40 Ryrie Street in the heart of Geelong, it seamlessly blends leisure and business offerings.

Paul Franze, Founder & Director of Franzé Developments, said, “Geelong Quarter is a testament to our unwavering commitment to urban rejuvenation and community-centric design. We are extremely proud to bring this venture to fruition and the positive impact it will have on Geelong and its residents as the city continues to experience rapid growth in population and visitation. There's nothing like this in Geelong, and the completion of this project will propel and drive the city forward. Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong is a testament to our dedication at Franzé in creating vibrant, sustainable, and connected communities.”

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong is home to a range of food and beverage options, including a café and bar seamlessly integrated into the hotel's 'next-generation' Open Lobby and the hotel's restaurant, Adrian Richardson's Maestro, located on Level One. The Open Lobby design combines guest spaces such as the reception area, restaurant, lounge, and business centre into one open, collaborative living space, giving guests the most flexibility, whether they're looking to eat, relax, work, or have fun, in the one location. 

Matt Tripolone, Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts Australasia & Pacific, said, "We are thrilled to introduce Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong to the city's hospitality landscape, continuing the strong momentum of the Holiday Inn brand in Australasia. The opening is testament to our strong partnership with Franzé Developments, who have brought the Holiday Inn vision to life with our Open Lobby concept to functional, design-led rooms and culinary offerings. This stand-out addition to our portfolio is an exceptional example of the brand's next-generation design offering an authentic travel experience for visitors to Geelong.”

A booming visitor region

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong General Manager Daniel Payne said the property will be a hub for guests and locals alike, catering for 'cultural explorers' and families, as well as corporate travellers and business event delegates.

“As the newest and largest hotel in Geelong, our presence underscores the city's commitment to growth and progress, attracting a new generation of guests with the introduction of the world's largest brand family and bringing 68 jobs to boost the local economy,” Mr Payne said.

“With the recent opening of the new Geelong Arts Centre and the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the horizon, we're excited to contribute to the city's evolution in becoming a thriving destination for business, culture, and leisure. 

Just an hour's drive from Melbourne's central business district (in Victoria, Australia), the hotel is perfectly positioned as a gateway to explore the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road. Its strategic location ensures easy access to local landmarks, including GMHBA Stadium, the revitalised Little Malop Street precinct, and the city's spectacular waterfront.

A refreshing place to stay

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong offers a variety of room configurations, including interconnecting rooms, catering to various traveller preferences. Rooms range from Single Standard to King Suites, with many featuring stunning views of the Geelong waterfront (Corio Bay) and balconies to enjoy the beautiful city. The hotel provides an additional 'Suite' room type to better cater for the needs of families, extended guest stays, or for those wanting elevated comfort and flexibility. 

Facilities in a Suite guest room (depending on type) include a kitchenette and separate living area for a 'home-away-from-home' experience. All guestrooms feature LCD flat-screen TVs and premium shower amenities. Recognising the significance of a peaceful night's sleep, guests can choose from a selection of pillows, including hypo-allergenic, foam, synthetic and feather. The heated indoor swimming pool and the well-equipped gym invite guests to rejuvenate and unwind.

For those seeking connectivity and productivity, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and a dedicated e-bar conveniently provides a space to plug in and stay connected with the day's news or work. The hotel also features flexible guest areas to accommodate a wide range of social events, conferences, and delegations for up to 110 people.

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong has prioritised sustainability without compromising on comfort. The hotel integrates rainwater harvesting irrigation to cater to water needs throughout the property, and guest bathrooms feature energy-efficient shower heads. Other noteworthy features include fresh air tempered throughout the building, supported by individual split-system air conditioning, and motion-sensor-controlled LED lighting.

The property is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. For accessibility considerations, Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong features elevator access to all floors, visual and audible alarms and alerts, and Braille signage in lifts and public areas to accommodate guests with varying needs.

Maestro adds to Geelong's sought-after dining scene

Award-winning Australian chef Adrian Richardson leads Maestro at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong. The venue's distinct name pays homage to Chef Richardson, recognised as a 'maestro' of gastronomy. The restaurant is a celebration of quality local ingredients and expertly curated dishes.

Chef Richardson has crafted the menu alongside Executive Chef Migo Razon with dishes showcasing the region's best produce, such as duck sourced from the verdant Moorabool Valley, freshly baked bread from La Madre bakery, and Dama Dama for exquisite venison. Impeccable, homemade pasta will be another Maestro drawcard. 

In addition to the restaurant, a range of food and beverage choices are on offer, including timeless favourites at the bar and on-the-go options from the café – all located in the Open Lobby – and 24/7 room service for added convenience and comfort. Additionally, Kids Stay & Eat Free (aged 12 and under, select menu).

For bookings and further information, visit

holidayinn.com/geelong

Instagram @HolidayInnandSuitesGeelong Facebook @HolidayInnGeelong  

LinkedIn.com/company/holiday-inn-and-suites-geelong

High-res images and additional resources available via Dropbox here.         

Additional spokespeople and quotes:

Mayor Trent Sullivan, Greater Geelong: “The Ryrie St development with Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong is a flagship addition to our tourism and hospitality sector. It will have a huge influence on the continued revitalisation of central Geelong and play a crucial role in attracting and retaining people in the city centre.”

Tracy Carter, Executive Director, Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine: “The addition of an internationally branded property such as Holiday Inn & Suites further cements our region's growing reputation as a global destination of choice for business and leisure travellers alike. Over the next 10 years, visitation to Geelong and The Bellarine is expected to reach 13.6 million visit days, injecting up to $2.1 billion into the local economy. We are delighted that the 180-key property will add to the region's room stock, supporting our target of achieving an additional 2,200 rooms by 2032 to meet demand.”

Jeremy Crawford, Chief Executive Officer, Geelong Chamber of Commerce: “The City of Greater Geelong continues to benefit from high-quality investment into its region. The opening of Holiday Inn & Suites in the centre of Geelong is another fantastic example of the quality of infrastructure adding value to our rich community offerings and amenity. The entire community will benefit greatly from the opening of Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong and especially enhance our retail, hospitality, tourism, cultural and commercial precincts with its exceptional offering.”

Joel McGuinness, CEO & Creative Director, Geelong Arts Centre: “The opening of the Holiday Inn & Suites will add to the vibrant transformation for Geelong's local visitor industry, breathing new life and tourism opportunities into our arts and culture precinct. This occasion aligns perfectly with the momentous unveiling of the $140 million Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment. The arts and culture sector and the tourism industry share an intricate bond, as each feeds into the other's growth."

About Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong

IHG Hotels & Resorts' Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong opens its doors on 8 September 2023. Located at 40 Ryrie St, the benchmark property is Geelong's first major newbuild hotel in around 20 years as part of the $200 million Geelong Quarter by Franzé Developments.

Located in the heart of Geelong's city centre, an hour's drive south-west from Melbourne's CBD, the hotel offers a refreshing place to meet and the perfect home base to explore the Bellarine and Surf Coast in Victoria.

Presenting a modern and innovative hotel design, Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong offers a full-service experience for travellers and locals alike with 180 contemporary spacious rooms and suites, 4 purpose-built event spaces, and flexible guest areas with dining options to suit any time of day. Holiday Inn's Open Lobby concept provides a casual, unpretentious space to make everyone feel welcome, while the hotel's heated indoor swimming pool invites guests to unwind and relax amidst the vibrant energy of the brand-new property.

Maestro, the culinary creation of renowned Australian chef Adrian Richardson at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, introduces Victoria's freshest gastronomic experience. The restaurant presents sophisticated flavours and innovative cuisine that pay homage to locally procured ingredients, featuring wines and beers hailing from the Golden Plains, Otways, Moorabool Valley, and Bellarine Peninsula.

About Holiday Inn

Whether it's with friends, family or co-workers, Holiday Inn makes it easy for travellers to be there together for any moment, big or small. With thousands of locations around the world, Holiday Inn hotels deliver memorable experiences for business and leisure travellers through warm and welcoming service, contemporary design that blends the familiar with the new, and a sense of comfort unique to the brand and its iconic green sign. At Holiday Inn hotels, guests can find amenities to help them make connections, work and play, including full-service restaurants where Kids Eat Free, meeting and business facilities, bright swimming pools and flexible public spaces. For more information about the Holiday Inn brand, visit www.holidayinn.com. Find us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

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