IHG opens first voco on Australia’s Gold Coast

730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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IHG opens first voco on Australia’s Gold Coast

World’s first IHG voco™ opens on Australia’s famed Surfers Paradise on Gold Coast…

Following the exclusive unveiling of the new branding just five months ago, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened the first hotel globally for its new upscale hotel brand: voco™. Owned by Australian property investment firm SB&G Group and located on the shores of the Gold Coast, voco™ Gold Coast is now open for guests to soak up the sun, sand and sea in Australia’s beloved Surfers Paradise.

voco™, inspired by the meaning ‘to invite’ or to ‘come together’ in Latin, will combine the informality and charm of an individual hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. The public spaces of voco™ Gold Coast emphasise this social element, fittingly named Social House Café, which collectively houses a bar and lounge within the venue, offering a space for everyone.

The 389-key property is situated in the heart of Australia’s iconic Surfers Paradise precinct and steps away from Queensland’s famous beaches. The hotel offers all the features that guests can expect from the upscale voco™ brand including two swimming pools, gym facilities, L’Aqua Day Spa, 800sqm of meeting space and expansive views of both the ocean and hinterland. Multiple dining options are also available in the hotel’s three unique restaurants – Waves, Clifford’s Grill & Lounge and Social House – all designed to offer vibrant social experiences for voco™ guests to enjoy.

“voco™ Gold Coast also offers several exclusive features that sets it apart from existing hotels.”

“IHG launched the voco™ brand in June in Australia, we are so pleased to see the brand’s momentum continue here with the first opening in the iconic Gold Coast with long standing partner, SB&G Group,” said Kenneth Macpherson, CEO EMEAA, IHG. “voco™ delivers a guest experience that stands out, with touches of charm and memorable, distinctive and dependable hallmarks.”

voco™ Gold Coast also offers several exclusive features that sets it apart from existing hotels, starting with their onsite beehives, producing honey for various uses throughout the hotel. The strong sustainability focus also promises refillable dispensers for products such as soap, along with a high-end Aveda amenity and an initiative with Gold Coast City Council to ensure all kitchen waste is recycled.

The voco™ Gold Coast signing was announced by IHG and owners SB&G Group in June 2018, coinciding with the global launch of the voco™ brand.  With six signings to date, in addition to the four properties that will rebrand as part of the UK portfolio deal, there are expected to be more than fifteen signings in total for the brand by the end of 2018. These include three signings in Australia, in Victoria’s wine region, Yarra Valley and in the heart of Melbourne’s bustling CBD as well as a number of properties in the UK. The opening of voco™ Gold Coast will be quickly followed by hotel openings in Solihull and Cardiff in the UK.

“We are proud to be the first owner of a voco™ branded hotel in the world and to have worked closely with IHG to bring this new brand and service culture to the Gold Coast,” said Paul Salter, SB&G Group Managing Director.

IHG currently has 48 hotels operating under four brands in Australasia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, with another 22 in the pipeline, including Hotel Indigo, EVEN Hotels and voco.

Hamish Kilburn / 14.11.2018

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