A new upscale hotel brand by InterContinental Hotels Group has made its global debut, with the opening of Voco Gold Coast in Queensland.
Voco Gold Coast officially opened its doors on 14 November, with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista.
The Surfers Paradise property, which was formerly Watermark Hotel & Spa, was sold to Australian property investment firm SB&G Group earlier this year.
Since then, the hotel’s 389 rooms have been fully refurbished, complemented by 800 square metres of meeting space which is currently undergoing renovations.
The hotel offers seven meeting rooms across three levels, including the Poolside Marquee for up to 80 standing guests and the Atlantis Ballroom with capacity for 250 guests in banquet style or 400 standing.
The meeting and event spaces are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
Dining options include buffet restaurant Waves, Clifford’s Grill & Lounge and casual café and bar Social House.
A strong sustainability element runs through the property, including the onsite beehives, a kitchen waste recycling program and refillable soap dispensers in bathrooms.
General manager Brenden van Blerk said he is excited to launch the brand on the Gold Coast.
“As one of Australia’s all-time favourite holiday destinations, we are very excited to be introducing the Voco brand across the much-loved Gold Coast,” he said.
“Quintessentially Australian, the Gold Coast offers travellers the ultimate getaway with warm weather, amazing beaches and several great ways to have fun. This perfectly aligns with the new Voco hotel – a fun, spirited, upscale offering.”
Voco Gold Coast is the first of an expected 15 hotel signings for the new brand by the end on 2018. Two more Voco hotels have been signed in Australia, in Victoria’s Yarra Valley and in Melbourne’s CBD, while a number of Voco properties are also slated to open in the UK.
Kenneth Macpherson, IHG CEO EMEAA welcomed the brand’s first hotel.
“IHG launched the Voco brand in June in Australia, we are so pleased to see the brand’s momentum continue here with the first opening in the iconic Gold Coast with long standing partner, SB&G Group,” he said.
“Voco delivers a guest experience that stands out, with touches of charm and memorable, distinctive and dependable hallmarks.”
