AccorHotels has announced that a new 5-star Pullman hotel will open in Rotorua in late 2018/early 2019.

It will be the first internationally-branded 5-star hotel to open in the popular incentive destination.

Pullman Rotorua is currently being developed as a conversion of an existing nine storey building once used as a government building in the central business district on Arawa Street.

The 130-room hotel will boast panoramic views of the city and lake area and feature a sophisticated Executive Lounge (a hallmark of every Pullman hotel), business lounge, chill-out lounge, restaurant and bar, gymnasium, car parking as well as five meeting rooms catering for conference and events.

Pullman Rotorua is expected to be popular with international and domestic business and leisure travellers, due to its exclusive 5-star offering and prime central CBD location and within 500 metres from the idyllic lakefront.

Senior Vice President AccorHotels New Zealand Fiji and French Polynesia, Gillian Millar said the Pullman Rotorua hotel will be a significant economic contributor and boost for tourism in New Zealand.

“We’re delighted to be opening a new Pullman hotel in New Zealand which will enhance Rotorua’s accommodation offering in the 5-star end of the market,” Millar said.

“Pullman Rotorua will not only offer leisure and business guests a sophisticated accommodation experience but the local economy will also benefit through employment, supplier partnerships and added expenditure that will come with increased visitors to the region.”

Pullman is part of AccorHotels rapidly expanding international luxury brand portfolio with over 65 Pullman hotels in the Asia Pacific region, and over 100 globally. The new Rotorua hotel will complement AccorHotels’ sister hotels Novotel and ibis Rotorua Lakeside.

The construction of the hotel will see the creation of an estimated 300 jobs together with ongoing employment in hospitality.