AccorHotel’s Novotel brand has been selected for a new 4-star hotel to be developed next to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Novotel Melbourne South Wharf property will feature 347 keys and is located close to the expanded exhibition space of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, providing business and leisure guests more high-quality accommodation options on the Yarra River’s south bank.

Scheduled to open by Q1 of 2018, the new build property encompass Novotel brand identifiers including Live N’ Dream bedding, interactive TVs and FairTrade bathroom amenities as well as free barista coffee at breakfast.

AccorHotels’ Pacific chief operating officer Simon McGrath said that the development of the Novotel would contribute significantly to the continued evolution of Melbourne as one of Asia Pacific’s most important tourism, meeting and events cities.

“Significant investment in infrastructure such as this Novotel hotel will further increase the capacity for Melbourne to attract significant events, conferences and exhibitions and cater to the domestic and international travel markets.

“Novotel is a leading worldwide brand that is thriving globally and in the Australian market, and we are delighted to be again partnering with Action Hotels Group and Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah on a fourth local hotel project under the brand. We believe this latest partnership in Melbourne will deliver an out-standing 4-star hotel for Melbourne that will provide great support to the city’s strong events calendar and tourism industry.”

The new Novotel Melbourne South Wharf will complement the existing Novotel Melbourne on Collins, Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley and Novotel Melbourne St Kilda hotels in the city, and join the brand’s established global network of over 450 hotels and resorts in 61 countries.