Accor’s newest airport hotels opened on 1 July, 2024, and represent the first new internationally branded hotels at the airport in almost 20 years.
The $230 million development features 464 rooms, with 248 at Novotel and 216 at ibis Styles.
The dual-branded hotels have opened when Melbourne Airport is attracting record international passenger numbers, with March 2024 seeing 923,065 international travellers passing through the gates, surpassing the previous monthly record from 2018.
More than 76 million passengers are projected to pass through Melbourne Airport by 2042, almost doubling 2019 passenger figures.
“Our vision at Accor is clear: to redefine the concept of airport hotels and transform them into vibrant hubs that serve travellers and entire communities,” says Accor Pacific chief operating officer Adrian Williams.
“As you can see, the Melbourne Airport precinct is rapidly evolving into a dynamic mini-city, and these new hotels are at the forefront of this transformation.
“Offering 464 beautiful guest rooms split between Novotel and ibis Styles, both hotels feature facilities catering to business, conference and leisure guests, as well as workers and visitors to the airport district.
“Additionally, with three food and beverage outlets, function facilities for up to 330 guests, and Aerofoil Workspace, our hotel-serviced co-working space, we’re providing more than just a place to sleep.”
Between 2014 and 2024, Accor has increased its number of airport hotels across the Pacific region by 144 per cent, comprising 22 airport hotels in 2024 compared to nine in 2014.
David Alexander is the dual-hotels’ general manager, overseeing 200 staff.
“We’re flipping the concept of airport hotels on its head and changing the way they are viewed,” he says. “We are taking the midscale and premium-economy hotel sector to the next level.”
Other senior positions have been filled by Narelle Welsh (director, sales and marketing); Charlie Tickler (director of finance); Sonia Ruiz, (director of talent and culture); Giovani Sayuti (director of operations); Gopikrishna Loganathan (director of engineering); and Ashish Rajput (director of revenue).
