Hilton Worldwide has signed two new-build hotels in Perth and Fremantle, Western Australia.
The hotels are the third and fourth announced in greater Perth in the past seven days alone, with hotels under the Ritz-Carlton and Aloft brands revealed by Marriott and Starwood alike.
The management agreement with SKS Group will see the properties branded DoubleTree by Hilton and they will join Hilton Worldwide’s existing portfolio of 20 hotels in Australasia.
Hilton Worldwide’s president of Asia Pacific Martin Rinck said, “Hilton Worldwide has had a strong presence in Australia for over 40 years with the Hilton Hotels and Resorts brand, and we are very committed to further expanding our brand portfolio in the region.
“These two exciting new DoubleTree by Hilton developments will join our three existing DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels in the Northern Territory and are part of our growth strategy for this powerful brand in Australia,” he said.
DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront will be located at 351 Riverside Drive, Perth adjoining Barrack Square and fronting the Swan River. The 241-room hotel will boast stunning panoramic views of the Swan River and will include a restaurant, bar, executive lounge, business centre, gym, pool and event spaces. Construction is expected to commence in mid- 2014, with an anticipated opening date in mid-2016.
DoubleTree by Hilton Fremantle will be located at Point Street, Fremantle, overlooking Princess May Park and central to the “Cappuccino Strip” of South Terrace. This 150-room hotel will feature a restaurant, bar, business centre, gym, pool and event spaces. Construction of this hotel is expected to commence in 2014, with an anticipated opening date in 2017.
Hilton Worldwide’s operations vice president – Australasia Ashley Spencer told SpiceNews he was confident of success in the Perth market, despite the mining boom slowing and the arrival of several new hotels.
Spencer said, “Perth has been strong for years. The destination is pulling in some nice occupancies and rates, and we shouldn’t see that changing anytime soon.”
In Fremantle specifically, he said it was “nice to get some good branded hotel stock down there” in a market that’s been short of major hotel activity for years.
SKS Group is the Perth-based overseas investment arm of MB Group, based in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. MB Group has a 30-year track record in real estate development, property construction, building materials trading, hotel development and hospitality management, and credit financing in Malaysia.
Principal of SKS Group Alan Sim said, “I am very excited to undertake these two projects which has a combined Gross Development Value of over AUD$160 Million with Hilton Worldwide, and to bring the world-renowned DoubleTree by Hilton brand to Perth and Fremantle.”
DoubleTree by Hilton global head John Greenleaf said, “Our continued growth around the world adds locations for our guests to experience our award-winning CARE culture – which stands for ‘Create A Rewarding Experience’ for guests, team members and the community. We remain dedicated to tailoring our service offerings and product to the needs of business and leisure travellers who seek an upscale, full-service hotel experience in the market.”
