Kimpton set for Brisbane
After the launch of Australia’s first Kimpton hotel in Sydney’s CBD, Brisbane’s inner-city suburb of Teneriffe will be the location of Australia’s second Kimpton.
The hotel will be part of the $1.5 billion mixed-use riverfront development from Kokoda Property set to start construction late this year. The hotel will have approximately 155 rooms, including some suites.
The property will also have 618m2 of indoor and outdoor event space, a 200-plus-seat restaurant and bar on the 14th floor and an infinity pool overlooking Brisbane River.
Sitting right next door to Fortitude Valley, which is home to the acclaimed Calile Hotel, Brisbane’s Kimpton will be close to Howard Smith Wharves and under 15 minutes’ drive from Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and the soon-to-open Queen’s Wharf.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our Kimpton brand to Brisbane, particularly in such a strategic location that perfectly aligns to the aspirational ethos of the brand,” said IHG Hotels & Resorts’ director of development for Australasia and the Pacific, Cameron Burke.
“Kimpton has an ardent global following amongst the lifestyle-led and socially inclined, which will resonate strongly as part of the Skyring Terrace precinct and within Brisbane’s luxury hotel market.
“The strength of IHG’s brand portfolio, particularly within the luxury and lifestyle segments, is accelerating the growth of our Australian estate – and this signing is a significant testament to that.”
Founder and managing director of Kokoda Property Mark Stevens said the Kimpton brand was the ideal choice for their development and that the hotel would be its centrepiece.
“The brand’s lifestyle centric positioning, design and playful guest experiences will fit perfectly into this exciting and unique pocket of Brisbane,” he said.
Kimpton Teneriffe is expected to open in 2028.
Accor signs hotels in Launceston and Sydney
Accor is set to debut its first Pullman in Tasmania in 2027, with the $45 million Pullman Launceston to open in the state’s second largest city.
To be located in a heritage building with a new-build tower, the hotel will have 139 rooms alongside bars and restaurants and meetings and events space. The tower will be the second tallest in the city.
“This will be an outstanding hotel and the international brand recognition of Pullman will help attract tourists and conferences to Launceston,” said Accor Pacific’s COO for premium, midscale and economy brands, Adrian Williams.
“With nature and food-based tourism being such powerful drivers of travel, Launceston and Tasmania has so much to offer domestic and international travellers.
“The Tasmanian brand is globally admired as being synonymous with excellence, purity, sustainability and premium quality, and with Launceston attracting new direct air services, we believe the arrival of the Pullman can further energise the state’s tourism sector,” he said.
Meanwhile in Sydney, Accor has signed a deal with Shakespeare Property Group to bring its new acquisition, the heritage Hotel Woolstore 1888, into the Handwritten Collection brand.
Ovolo owned and operated the hotel until its sale to Shakespeare Property Group.
Located in Darling Harbour, the hotel has 90 rooms across four levels, a restaurant and wine bar, a private dining room and event space.
“We’re seeing rapidly increasing popularity and demand in the boutique accommodation market, and Hotel Woolstore 1888 is well placed to capture this growth as a Handwritten Collection hotel,” said Williams.
“Through our Handwritten Collection brand, we’re broadening our portfolio of boutique hotels and bringing together small to mid-size hotels that authentically reflect the character and warmth of the people who love and look after them.”
Hilton to bring Garden Inn to Townsville
In a deal with property development business HHNQ, Hilton will bring its fast-growing Garden Inn brand to Townsville in North Queensland.
The new build hotel is expected to be complete in early 2026 and will offer 190 Hilton-managed rooms alongside event space and a restaurant and bar.
“The hotel will be modular constructed, which is a great way to reduce construction time and lower building costs,” said Hilton’s director of development for Australasia, Tushar Raniga.
Alongside the Townsville property, there are five other Garden Inn hotels in development in Australia, in addition to three open hotels under the brand.
“We are excited to be working with Hilton to deliver the first Hilton branded hotel in Townsville,” said director of HHNQ, Michael Graham
“The city of Townsville has undergone significant growth since 2020 and is steadily becoming an economic powerhouse supported by a favourable tropical climate and a renewed interest in regional tourism.”
“We know Hilton Garden Inn will be a major asset for the city.”
