InterContinental Hotels Group’s upscale brand voco will open a new property in Victoria’s Yarra Valley in 2021. Positioned in one of Australia’s premier wine regions, this will be the area’s first globally branded upscale hotel, bringing accommodation, dining and unique experiences together under one roof.
The planned property will feature 170 guestrooms and a range of distinctive on-site attractions, including a gin distillery, a lavender farm, a mirrored maze and an amphitheater. Additional amenities are expected to include a gym, conference and meeting facilities, bars, a restaurant and family-friendly facilities for children.
“IHG launched voco in June with the first signing for the brand in Australia, and we are pleased to see momentum continue with this second signing. voco delivers a guest experience that stands out, with charming, memorable and dependable hallmarks. We can’t think of a better partner for this new hotel than Martyn Barnes,” said Abhijay Sandilya, senior director of development, Australia, IHG. “The signing of voco Yarra Valley supports IHG’s ambition to bring our brands into regional markets and suburban micro-markets near Australian capital cities.”
Martyn Barnes, managing director of Barnes Capital, the management firm attached to the hotel, added: “As one of Australia’s premier wine regions, guests don’t want a vanilla experience when they visit the Yarra Valley. voco is the perfect fit — a globally branded, upscale hotel that guests can rely on but that also offers personality and fun. I’m excited to work with IHG to open voco Yarra Valley, building on our partnership that will also bring Holiday Inn Melbourne Coburg in 2020. Watch this space — we have more to come.”