AC Hotels by Marriott Unveils First Hotel in Australia with the Opening of AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank

AC Hotels by Marriott, the design-led lifestyle brand part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, announces its brand debut in Australia with the opening of AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank. Located in one of Melbourne’s premier events, arts and entertainment precincts, the new hotel features 205 thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites, signature dining, and an infinity pool and cocktail bar with sweeping views of the city skyline. AC Melbourne Southbank has been expertly refined and crafted to deliver an elegant yet unobtrusive experience, right in the cultural capital of Australia.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the arrival of the AC Hotels brand in Australia with the opening of AC Melbourne Southbank,” said Jeff Tomczek, Vice President and Global Brand Leader of AC Hotels. “Melbourne is the cultural and design capital of Australia, allowing for a seamless fit with AC Hotels, known for its purposeful design and obsession with detail. With Australia’s border reopening, we look forward to welcoming travellers with a distinctive experience that has been edited to offer only the best of what guests truly need.”

Nestled in the prestigious inner-city enclave of Melbourne’s Southbank, with the Central Business District and South Wharf precinct – Australia’s largest urban renewal project – on its doorstep, AC Melbourne Southbank brings together the very best of Melbourne, housed in one sculptural landmark address. With close proximity to public transport, South Melbourne Market, Melbourne Convention Centre, South Wharf shops and eateries, the Arts precinct, and other first-class amenities, the hotel offers sweeping city views with everything guests need for a memorable stay.

Designed by DKO Architecture in collaboration with Capital Alliance, AC Melbourne Southbank has created a bold architectural presence within the Fishermans Bend skyline. The design approach to every space is optimal comfort and utility through modern décor with open layouts offering functional beauty without distraction. The elegantly framed geometric glass façade will be activated by LED lighting at night acting as a beacon for visitors and residents alike. A sculptural canopy creates an iconic entry to the hotel and the design-led guestrooms contained within.

Soho House Copenhagen set to open in July.....

Soho House Copenhagen will see the Membership Collective Group’s expansion into Scandinavia and the 22nd Soho House in Europe.

Membership Collective Group expands its growing portfolio of membership clubs, announcing its first Soho House in Scandinavia. Soho House Copenhagen is opening in July 2022.

Soho House Copenhagen will follow other recent openings including Brighton Beach House in the UK and Soho House Nashville and Holloway House in Los Angeles in North America.

Situated in the former Customs House and ferry terminal, Soho House Copenhagen is a home for the Danish creative community to come together and eat, drink, connect and hang out.

Located in central Copenhagen in Havnegade on the waterfront, the oval-shaped House is set across two floors and includes a members Club space, an outdoor terrace looking out to the water and Club Cecconi’s restaurant serving Northern Italian dishes. The ‘Customs Room’ – a relaxed, laptop-friendly space during the day, that can host events and entertainment in the evenings - is situated upstairs with views out across the water.

Soho House also plans to open Soho Active - a gym and studio space – on the second floor later in the year.

New Hilton hotel set to open in San Sebastián, Spain in 2024

Hilton confirmed plans to open its first hotel in San Sebastián, Spain, Palacio Bellas Artes Hotel San Sebastian, Curio Collection by Hilton is expected to open in 2024. This follows a franchise agreement with Sociedad Anónima Deportes y Espectáculos, S.A. – a wholly owned subsidiary of Grupo SADE.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, EMEA, Hilton said, “San Sebastián is a city which has a wealth of cultural attractions, making it the perfect home for Curio Collection by Hilton. From its thriving restaurant scene – featuring more Michelin stars per square metre than any other global city – to its lively pintxo bars, jazz festival and food markets – our international guests will enjoy soaking up the atmosphere while exploring the city. Curio Collection by Hilton has grown exponentially across Europe, with new openings this year in Lisbon, Madrid, Santorini, Krakow, London and Reykjavik, and Palacio Bellas Artes Hotel San Sebastian, Curio Collection by Hilton is a very welcome addition to the expanding portfolio of 190 hotels trading or under development around the world.”

Esteban Basterretxea Badiola, general manager at GRUPO SADE, said, “We are pleased to be reviving the Bellas Artes, one of the city's most emblematic buildings. We are also excited to be working with Hilton to open under its Curio Collection, which will allow us to celebrate the individual qualities of this important building. The franchise model enables SADE to manage the hotel and maintain its brand purpose; to offer enjoyable experiences through its century-old connection to the city’s cultural scene. I would also like to thank PHG Hotels & Resorts for their effort, which was key to fulfilling this agreement.”

Palacio Bellas Artes Hotel San Sebastian, Curio Collection by Hilton will feature 82 stylish guest rooms, including eight suites, meeting space, a gym, and a bar and restaurant. The hotel will be located within the former Fine Arts Theatre, in the Amara district of the city. The theatre was built in 1914, and was designed by the local architect Ramón Cortázar, a founder of the distinctive Basque style of design. 

Located in Spain’s Basque region, close to the French border, San Sebastián is the ideal base from which to explore the Atlantic coastline and the city includes three pristine beaches used year-round by surfers and visitors. The city plays host to a number of prestigious events including an international film festival, an annual summer jazz festival and several food and drink events. 

Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of more than 115 hotels and resorts each hand-picked for its distinct character, appealing to travellers seeking one-of-a-kind discoveries and an independent hotel experience.

Palacio Bellas Artes Hotel San Sebastian, Curio Collection by Hilton will be located at Calle Urbieta 59 y Calle Prim 38, 20006, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain. San Sebastian airport is around 20 kilometres from the hotel, with international arrivals from Biarritz Airport and Bilbao Airport around 50 and 100 kilometres away respectively. 

 

Hilton announced the opening of Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort

Hilton announced the opening of Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort, marking the company’s first-ever all-inclusive offering in Tulum. Located beyond the mangroves and overlooking the white-sand beaches and Caribbean coastline of the Riviera Maya, the beachside resort is a destination unto itself, offering a new kind of retreat for travellers seeking great service and extensive amenities alongside enriching the culture and lasting experiences. The resort offers rooms and suites in three-story villa-style buildings, a variety of dining experiences including five signature restaurants, a vast selection of entertainment, activities and pools and a dedicated, secluded Family Zone with a water park playground. With 735 rooms, Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort is Hilton’s largest resort in the Caribbean and Latin America and joins the campus of the recently debuted Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, with nearly 30 additional Hilton-branded properties set to open in Mexico in the coming years.

“As we continue to strategically expand our footprint across the Caribbean and Latin America, Mexico remains a priority as we move closer to reaching 100 hotels in the country, which represents our 5th largest in number of hotels, in the next four years”, said Danny Hughes, executive vice president and president, Americas, Hilton. “The opening of Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort is an incredibly exciting addition to our rapidly growing portfolio of premier all-inclusive resorts in the most sought-after beachfront destinations around the globe.”

“Tulum provides a unique market to expand and elevate our all-inclusive footprint and showcase our diverse range of brand experiences to meet the needs of travellers,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer, Hilton. “Joining Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya and the anticipated debut of our first lifestyle property in the region, Motto by Hilton Tulum, the opening of Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort provides guests with even more options to experience our brands in this desirable travel destination. Bringing Hilton’s unrivalled all-inclusive hospitality to Tulum opens up a world of possibilities for those looking to immerse themselves in this extraordinary destination in a whole new way.”

Hang Eleven Properties and Life House Team up on New-Build Hotel in Squamish, British Columbia

Hang Eleven Properties and Life House Team up on New-Build Hotel in Squamish, British Columbia

Local entrepreneur and developer Rodney Wilson will soon break ground on Beldi, a 48-key boutique hotel in Squamish, British Columbia. Independent hotel management company Life House will oversee operations. The hotel concept and design will be a collaboration between HunterOffice, an architectural firm and urban infill specialist based in Squamish, and Ste. Marie Studio, is a commercial interior design studio and creative consultancy based in Vancouver.

The town of Squamish sits between Vancouver and Whistler where the ocean meets the mountains. Once a “pass-through” town on the way to Whistler, it has become a destination of its own, increasingly popular with adventure-seekers and transplants from Vancouver attracted to a more outdoor lifestyle. The dramatic landscape, defined by the towering granite monolith known as the Chief, lends itself well to activities like mountain climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and kite surfing. The area has now become a buzzing community of outdoor enthusiasts and young professionals with a slew of new coffee shops and restaurants amongst the local attractions.

Beldi will be a 48-room boutique hotel offering a ground-floor restaurant and roof-top lounge area that will serve as both a co-working space by day, and cocktail bar by night. Originally conceived as a micro-hotel, the property will draw inspiration from Rifugi, the classic mountain huts of the Alps that offer travelers affordable accommodations with a focus on community and adventure. These retreats were designed as a homebase for hikers, climbers, and skiers who would come together at night to share stories of their day over food and drink. Beldi’s design will take cues from these traditional spaces, using materials inspired by nature, and built with sustainability in mind.

“Beldi will be the first high-end, lifestyle property in Squamish, and we are honored to be a part of the area’s transformation, offering a new hub for modern travelers looking for adventure but also convenience,” says Wilson who has been a Squamish resident since 2003, “We can’t think of a better partner than Life House who’s tech-enabled platform brings value to the hotel while creating a more seamless experience for the guest.”

Life House will serve as a full-service management partner, overseeing operations, revenue, marketing, and F&B. They currently operate over 60 hotels across North America from roadside motels to 5-star luxury properties, supporting hotel owners with a diverse suite of offerings including tech-enabled management, hotel branding, and Revenue SAAS. While this is the first property in Canada, Life House already has a robust team based in Toronto and Montreal who work across product, design, and revenue.

“We are thrilled to be entering the Canadian market with the Beldi team who shares our passion for creating exceptional guest experiences with a strong sense of community and a responsiveness to the surroundings,” said Bryan Dunn, Managing Director and Head of Growth at Life House. “We expect this will be the first of many opportunities as we expand in the region.”

Hang Eleven Properties are seeking additional hospitality opportunities throughout British Columbia, with target markets including Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, Sooke and Tofino.

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