27 July, 2016 – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and international investment company Pro-invest Group have signed a franchise agreement for a 170-room Holiday Inn Express hotel in Newcastle’s city centre.
The Holiday Inn Express Newcastle, scheduled to open early 2018, is the fifth hotel to be signed under the master development agreement between IHG and Pro-invest, which will see 15 Holiday Inn Express hotels open across Australia in the coming years. The first hotel opened this year at Sydney's Macquarie Park, North Ryde in April 2016 – the first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Australia. Additional properties are set to open in Brisbane's Spring Hill, early 2017; Adelaide Hindley Street late 2017 and Melbourne Southbank in 2018.
The new build hotel will be conveniently located on King Street in Newcastle’s commercial precinct, adjacent to the city centre and walking distance from a number of new food and beverage outlets and Market Town Shopping Centre. A new transport exchange is also in development just 500m from the hotel, offering connectivity between buses, trains, light rail, taxis and major roads for self-drive.
Karin Sheppard, COO Australasia & Japan, IHG said: “We are delighted to launch the Holiday Inn Express brand together with Pro-invest in such a major regional NSW hub and we are confident that Holiday Inn Express Newcastle King Street will be well-received by travellers seeking a relaxed, sophisticated, no fuss environment. Holiday inn Express is one of the fastest growing brands in the world because it satisfies the basic needs of the guest whilst providing a level of style and service that the modern day traveller has come to expect.”
Ronald Barrott, Chief Executive Officer, Pro Invest Group said, “Our partnership with IHG is proving highly successful, as we continue to secure prime locations – such as Newcastle King Street – for the continued development strategy of Holiday Inn Express hotels. Partnering up with IHG ensures we have the necessary brand awareness in the market and – thanks to IHG’s strong corporate footprint in Australia – they are providing us with all the support necessary to provide the Australian traveller with the kind of select service offer they are seeking.”
With the NSW Government set to double the visitor economy to the state by 2020, Minister for Sport, Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres said he was encouraged by the growth of the Holiday Inn Express brand and the economic benefits to Newcastle:
“The opening of NSW’s second Holiday Inn Express in Newcastle will offer leisure and business travellers alike access to high quality accommodation within the bustling CBD just a stone’s throw from the sparkling coastline and Australia’s oldest wine region in the Hunter. Having attended the opening of the first Holiday Inn Express in Sydney’s Macquarie Park, I’m confident Holiday Inn Express Newcastle will offer high quality accommodation for visitors while providing a welcome boost to the local economy.”
Providing ‘everything guests need and nothing they don’t’, Holiday Inn Express Newcastle King Street will offer guests a smart and convenient stay which includes:
- Free and fast Wi-Fi available in guest rooms and throughout the hotel so they stay connected all day, every day
- Free Express Start™ Breakfast or a Grab & Go option for a smart start to the day
- A comfortable and restful sleep with high quality bedding and choice of firm or soft pillows
- Self-service business centre and laundry room for their everyday needs
- Access to the fitness centre to ensure their fitness regime is not interrupted
In addition to its communal Great Room public space where guests can enjoy their breakfast, meet, work or relax, the hotel will also have a gymnasium and two meeting rooms.
