IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a long-term agreement with Salter Brothers, reinforcing its position in the Luxury & Lifestyle hospitality sector in Australia.
As part of the agreement, several IHG hotels will be rebranded within the group’s luxury portfolio. Regent Hotels & Resorts is set to return to Australia after 28 years, with the InterContinental Melbourne planned to convert into Regent Melbourne by 2030.
Three hotels will be rebranded under the InterContinental name. Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach will become InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, Crowne Plaza Melbourne will become InterContinental Melbourne, and the Crowne Plaza Canberra site will be redeveloped into InterContinental Canberra. A second hotel on the Canberra site will be developed under the Hotel Indigo brand.
voco Gold Coast, the first voco hotel launched globally and a joint project between IHG and Salter Brothers, will undergo a refurbishment and expansion of its leisure areas.
Under the agreement, InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto will be converted to Regent Melbourne. The site will be redeveloped to include conference and event spaces, restaurants and bars, a spa, and the Regent Club.
Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach is currently closed and will reopen in late 2025 as InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach. Planned features include a pool deck with views of Coogee Beach, a wellness facility, Club InterContinental, and a restaurant operated by an international group.
The Canberra site will include InterContinental Canberra with a rooftop lounge, suites with views to Parliament House, meeting and event spaces, a restaurant, and a spa. Hotel Indigo Canberra will also be developed, offering a design focused on local themes.
Crowne Plaza Melbourne will transition to InterContinental Melbourne, including rooftop facilities such as Club InterContinental, a restaurant and bar, and a spa with a bathhouse.
voco Gold Coast will be refurbished and expanded with a new pool deck, bar, and a kids’ club.
IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates 76 hotels in Australasia across nine brands: Six Senses, InterContinental, Kimpton, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo, voco, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. There are 26 additional properties in the development pipeline.
Matt Tripolone, IHG Hotels & Resorts managing director, Australasia Pacific, said: “This partnership accelerates IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle growth in Australia and enables Salter Brothers to reposition key assets and unlock long-term value in this space.
“With three InterContinental properties also on the horizon, and a new hotel, Hotel Indigo Canberra, in our sights, we’re delighted to have cemented our leading Luxury & Lifestyle position in the country.”
Paul Salter, managing director, Salter Brothers, added: “We have a strong history with IHG spanning more than a decade, and are fully committed to our partnership which continues to drive growth for our assets. We look forward to working with IHG throughout the journey of these exceptional hotels, and welcoming domestic and international guests to experience these incredible properties under their new brands in the coming years.”
