[COM] 20HS | 53/49m | 15/14lvls | Hotel/Residential

[rhino]

I must admit I was astounded that this building won that award.

Was it a quiet year for tourism?

[monotonehell]

I think from the inside and the location it deserves the award. But the building's shell itself isn't all that exciting.

[Ben]

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/commerci ... 828-gy5ohe

Accor brings Pullman hotel brand to Adelaide as tourism takes off


Accor will take over management of the Crowne Plaza Adelaide in October. Murray Fredericks

by Larry Schlesinger
Australia's biggest hotel operator, Accor, will bring its five-star Pullman brand to Adelaide for the first time after negotiating an agreement with hotel developer and owner Hines Property.

From October 1 the IHG-operated, 308-room Crown Plaza Adelaide on Hindmarsh Square in the CBD will operate as the Pullman Adelaide, complementing Accor's presence in the city, which includes the ibis Adelaide, opened in 2014 and also developed by Hines.

From 2019 Accor will also operate the city's first Sofitel hotel, a 257-room luxury venue that will be the first five-star hotel built in Adelaide in 30 years.

Accor Hotels Pacific boss Simon McGrath said Adelaide was enjoying strong tourism growth driven by investment in infrastructure.

Projects include the $400 million expansion of the Adelaide Convention Centre, due for completion in September, the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval and the recent approval for a $330 million expansion of Adelaide Casino.

"For some time we have been looking to bring the Pullman brand to South Australia, and through our relationship with Hines Property we are thrilled to be operating Pullman Adelaide," Mr McGrath said. "Pullman is now the fastest-growing upscale brand in Asia-Pacific, and over the past three years our Australian network of Pullman hotels has grown 77 per cent."

The hotel was developed by Hines Property at the height of the global financial crisis and opened in 2010.

Managing director James Hines said the company had taken the opportunity to reposition the corporate hotel with a five-star brand at a time when Adelaide is enjoying one of its strongest periods of tourism growth.

Adelaide visitor numbers are up almost 9 per cent over the past year, with a big driver, according to Mr Hines, being the launch of direct flights into Adelaide from China a year ago by China Southern airlines.

"The state government also launched a fund to bid for major events and this has delivered exceptional results, with tourism expenditure up about $1.1 billion over the past year," he added.

Figures from hotel research firm STR show Adelaide hotel operating performance is improving, with occupancy lifting to 79 per cent in the year to July, up from 77.2 per cent the previous year, and average daily room rates rising to $153 a night from $149.

With the improving tourism picture, the city has attracted a number of new hotels and developments in the past few years.

A new Holiday Inn Express is opening this month, with a new $50 million Atura hotel operated by ASX-listed Event Hospitality & Entertainment due to open in late 2018 at Adelaide Airport.

Also in the pipeline is the city's first Langham five-star hotel, to be developed at the beachside suburb of Glenelg as part of a $110 million development by Lustro Hotel Group, and an Aloft Hotel to be operated by Starwood.

Accor's deal to take over management of the Crowne Plaza will include creation of a signature Pullman executive club lounge prior to opening.