Melbourne has seen the addition of 5,000 hotel rooms across 22 new properties since 2019 – a 21 per cent overall increase – and there’s more to come.
After big openings in 2023, including the Ritz-Carlton, Dorsett Melbourne and Le Meridien, there’s another 1,100 luxury and upscale hotels set to open over the next year, including 1 Hotel Melbourne on the Yarra River opposite the convention centre and Lanson Place Parliament Gardens just off Spring Street.
The council has also confirmed it has approved a further three developments worth $475 million, including a $250 million complex opposite Carlton Gardens, a $200 million property in Southbank and a $25 million project on Russell St. Between the three, the developments will yield another 900 hotel rooms.
“Everyone wants to visit Melbourne and hoteliers know it,” said the city’s lord mayor, Nicholas Reece.
“We are setting a new benchmark for development across Australia with more than four major hotel developments each year – a huge vote of confidence in our city.
“Melbourne will open its doors to more than 1,800 new rooms over the next year, and that means more visitors spending their money at city attractions, restaurants, cafes and pubs.
“Not since the gold rush has Melbourne seen so many new hotel openings. Now, this pipeline will deliver a modern-day gold rush for Melbourne businesses and the city economy.”
Accommodation Australia’s general manager, Dougal Hollis, noted a variety of factors that make Melbourne a compelling visitor prospect.
“The compact nature of Melbourne’s CBD and the breadth and diversity of the precinct’s hospitality and tourism offers are very appealing to domestic and international visitors alike,” he said.
“Few cities in the world boast world class sporting and event stadium infrastructure within walking distance of our city’s vast hotel accommodation network.”
