Marriott International’s Luxury Collection has signed a hotel in Hobart that’s scheduled to open in 2018 following a full-scale renovation.
The yet-to-be-named hotel is owned by Trawalla Group Parliament Square Hotel Operator Pty Ltd and will be the only Australian property in the Luxury Collection.
The hotel will reside in repurposed heritage buildings in Parliament Square, a new design-led, urban development that is set to revitalise the neighbourhood, uniting the city’s unique past with its contemporary culture.
“Australia is an extremely desirable destination for our guests, and this hotel is sure to become the place for luxury travellers to stay while visiting Tasmania,” said Mitzi Gaskins, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and JW Marriott.
“Bringing the Luxury Collection to Australia marks a significant milestone for the brand, further cementing our leadership position in global hospitality, while providing our guests indigenous experiences that celebrate each individual locale.”
Upon opening, the hotel will feature 128 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites with carefully restored features, including original windows, floorboards and fireplaces.
The hotel’s corridors will showcase exclusive pieces from local artists, while an upscale restaurant, lobby lounge, and whiskey bar will offer a variety of dining experiences that reflect the spirit of the destination.
“It has always been our intention to partner with a brand that appreciates and embraces Tasmania’s natural beauty, history and heritage, which is why we chose to work with Marriott International to bring The Luxury Collection to Tasmania as part of this exciting new development,” said Alan Schwartz, Managing Director, Trawalla Group Parliament Square Hotel Operator Pty Ltd.
“We also share the brand’s passion for design, indigenous experiences and refined luxury, and are committed to working with the best talent and experts in the industry to bring this project to its full potential.”
The original features of the heritage buildings will be revived for today’s luxury traveller by Sydney-based hospitality interior design firm JPDC. The Georgian and Art Deco architectural style will be maintained throughout, embodying The Luxury Collection’s indigenous, rare, and experiential standards of luxury. The hotel’s relaxed, harbour-side location is highlighted throughout, with paired back interiors in local, natural materials, such as recycled timber from the original buildings.
The signing of this hotel marks yet another milestone for Marriott International as the group forges ahead with its goal of meeting the growing demand for experiential luxury travel in Australia and the Pacific region.
The company now boasts a portfolio of 23 hotels across seven brands, with an additional 20 hotels under construction.
Marriott International says the property will further strengthen the company’s luxury pipeline, which “aims to deliver authentic travel experiences and exceptional service”.
“Luxury travel in Australia has grown remarkably in the last few years, and there is still growing demand for new hotel product, specifically in Tasmania,” said Rajeev Menon, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China) at Marriott International.
“We’re confident this new Luxury Collection property will have a significant impression on Australia’s luxury hospitality market and we’re excited to be working with Trawalla Group Parliament Square Hotel Operator Pty Ltd to bring this distinct new project to life.”
This hotel will take residency in an assortment of heritage buildings, including the Georgian-style St. Mary’s Hospital originally constructed in 1847. Prominently positioned in Parliament Square, the hotel will be located directly behind Hobart’s historic Parliament House, near local institutions including Salamanca Market and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Upon its completion in 2018, Parliament Square will include a seamless integration of generous outdoor space, distinct heritage buildings and meticulously designed contemporary architecture, providing government office, retail and food and beverage space.