Boutique heritage-listed hotel reopens in central Sydney
The 59-room Harbour Rocks Hotel in The Rocks has been revamped and has reopened.
The hotel changed management from Accor to EVT in 2024 and is now part of EVT’s Ode Hotels brand.
The hotel has a few intimate spaces that can be used for events of between 25 and 100, including its restaurant, its garden terrace, a private dining room and its Harbour View Suite.
“What excites me most about this next chapter is that we’ve been able to rethink the entire guest experience, while keeping the intimacy and personality that has always made Harbour Rocks special,” said the property’s general manager, Jeanfrancois Savaroc.
“Harbour Rocks isn’t about experiencing Sydney from a hotel room, it’s about feeling part of the neighbourhood while you’re here and leaving with a few stories you didn’t expect.”
Built in 1887, the hotel had a variety of purposes – from a warehouse to a barracks to workshops, offices and an art gallery – before becoming a hotel in 1989.
With each room unique, original brick and stonework remain, complemented by a new colour palette, furnishings and lighting.
Accor to open another Novotel in Brisbane
The Novotel Brisbane City Centre will debut on November 1, as Accor takes over the former Capri by Fraser, Brisbane.
The 239-room hotel is under 10 minutes’ walk from the Event Centre at Queen’s Wharf and 17 minutes’ walk from Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The hotel also has 240m2 of its own event space, spread across three rooms.
The hotel will undergo refurbishment in the coming months, with works focussed on the reception and restaurant and bar.
“With major investment in infrastructure, tourism and events underway, we see enormous potential for Brisbane over the coming decade,” said Accor Pacific’s COO, Adrian Williams.
“Our focus is on ensuring we have the right brands in the right locations to meet that growth, and we are delighted to expand both our Novotel network and our partnership with Frasers Hospitality.”
Adina Hobart opens
A new TFE Hotels offering has opened in the same precinct as Vibe Hobart in Tasmania’s largest city.
The 48-key Adina Hobart features studio and one and two-bedroom apartment options.
“Apartment-style stays are increasingly important to the visitor economy because they encourage extended travel and support local operators,” said Adina Hobart general manager Jamie Capp.
“With both Adina and Vibe now in Hobart, we’re offering travellers more choice, whether they’re here for business, culture or nature.”
The two hotels are in close proximity to the site of Hobart’s future stadium at Macquarie Point, which will include a large-scale space for business events.
Second Oakwood property for Melbourne
A second hotel under the Oakwood brand will open in the outer Melbourne suburb of Epping on November 2.
Oakwood Epping Melbourne will have 122 keys, with studios and one and two-bedroom apartments on offer.
Australia’s first Oakwood is set just behind Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre while its third Oakwood is slated to open late next year in Adelaide.
