April 28, 2022 | By Bronwen Largier | Image: Members of the voco Melbourne Central team, from left to right, Christine Bridge, Ian Lee, Erik Stuebe, Jackie Liu, Fiona Slee and Celeste Clarke
With voco Melbourne Central opening today, the first new-build voco-branded property in Australia has over 200 years of experience within its leadership team, many of whom have come to the new hotel with experience at the luxury InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto under their belts.
Leading the team as voco Melbourne Central’s general manager is Erik Stuebe, who moved over from the GM role at the InterContinental Melbourne last September and has spent the past eight years with IHG, also heading up the InterContinental Resort and Spa in Fiji.
Christine Bridge, who was previously at the helm of sales and marketing at InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, has taken on the same role at voco Melbourne Central. Bridge also has experience with Marriott Hotels, including as an event manager, as well as spending time as managing director of Melbourne brand development agency Underbrand.
Celeste Clarke is voco Melbourne Central’s new Hotel Operations Manager, having honed her skills at the Melbourne InterContinental property and with Shangri-La Hotels and One&Only when the brand managed the private Hayman Island Resort in the Whitsundays.
The new property’s executive chef Ian Lee and front of house manager Hobin Lee have also both spent time at Melbourne InterContinental The Rialto, as has Jackie Liu, who holds a finance role at voco Melbourne Central.
“With the finishing touches on voco Melbourne Central currently being completed, we’re incredibly proud of this truly original hotel in the heart of Melbourne,” said Stuebe.
“Our personnel will deliver refreshing hospitality for all our guests, and many of our team members have already worked together in previous roles.
“Our team looks forward to opening our hotel doors to the world this Thursday and welcoming our first guests.”
voco Melbourne Central has 252 rooms and 493m2 of event space. The property opens today as the first of three new vocos to open in Australian and New Zealand within the next month.