Accor is rapidly evolving its airport hotel network across the Pacific region, with the upcoming arrival of the AU$230 million dual-hotel development, Novotel and Ibis Styles Melbourne Airport, on July 1, taking its total airport hotels in the region to 22, making it the largest airport hotel operator in the region.
Between 2014 and 2024, Accor increased its number of airport hotels across the Pacific region by 144%, with 22 airport hotels in 2024 vs nine in 2014.
“Airport hotels are no longer necessarily just about transiting travellers; they are the engines of whole new integrated multi-use developments that have evolved to offer a complete mix of business, retail, industry and tourism activities,” said Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer PM&E, Adrian Williams.
“Airport precincts are transforming into mini-cities in their own right with their own demand drivers.
“Novotel and Ibis Styles Melbourne Airport will be a prime example of hotels fuelling this demand and providing considerably more than just a place to sleep for a night. In particular, we expect the hotels to become highly popular venues for conferences, events, incentives, and functions, fuelled by the range of leisure facilities within the area.
“The precinct around Melbourne Airport is thriving, and with tourist attractions such as UrbanSurf and iFLY within 15 minutes of the airport, the hotels are well located and designed for satisfying leisure guests and conference groups.
“The reasons to stay at an airport hotel are growing exponentially, and particularly in Melbourne, where the lack of integrated transport options to the terminals makes staying overnight at one of our hotels and relaxing and preparing for a major overseas trip one of the best investments a traveller can make. Starting a long international trip stress free is a massive plus for wellbeing.”
Australia’s first airport ‘resort’ launched last December following a AU$30 million investment by Airport Development Group (ADG) in the upgrading and integration of the award-winning Novotel and Mercure Darwin Airport hotels.
In New Zealand, Accor recently added a Pullman hotel to its existing Novotel and Ibis hotels at Auckland Airport.