Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has reaffirmed its intention to expand throughout Australia following the signing of a Heads of Agreement with Meridien to manage two new waterfront resorts at the AUD$750 million Port of Airlie development at Airlie Beach in North Queensland.

Meridien’s Port of Airlie development

The Honolulu-based company will initially manage Meridien’s Boathouse Apartments expected to welcome its first guests in early 2011.

To be branded The Boathouse by Outrigger, there will be 56 two- and three-bedroom apartments spread across two three-level buildings, which are modelled on a classic colonial design synonymous with the Queensland tropics.

The luxury apartments have been designed to capitalise on their premium waterfront position and will be set in a rich tropical landscape, surrounded by a suite of exclusive boutiques and restaurants.

“We are delighted to add The Boathouse Apartments and Port of Airlie Resort to our expanding hotel portfolio and look forward to working with Meridien and being part of Port of Airlie’s exciting future,” said Outrigger Hotels and Resorts’ Australia Regional General Manager, Grant James.

The second stage of the development, the Port of Airlie Resort will feature spacious resort style apartments, conferencing facilities, restaurant, bar, pool, full resort facilities and specialty outlets.

Meridien’s Managing Director, Russell McCart, said Outrigger Hotels and Resorts will bring a high quality brand to Port of Airlie that is unmatched around the country.

“We are very excited to have an operator with Outrigger’s international standards and experience onboard to manage Port of Airlie’s Boathouse and Resort Apartments,” he said.

“We believe that under Outrigger’s management our owners and guests will have the best possible experience of luxury resort living in Airlie Beach.

“With more than 60 years of hospitality experience, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts was selected to manage the Boathouse Apartments and the future Port of Airlie Resort, due to their wealth of industry experience and reliable, highly reputable brands across Hawaii, Fiji, Guam, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia,” McCart said.