Accor’s Pullman hotel brand comes to Adelaide
Australia’s biggest hotel operator Accor plans to put its five star Pullman brand in Adelaide for the first time ever.
The decision seeking to make the most of the city’s growing tourism industry comes after Accor negotiated an agreement with hotel developer and owner Hines Property.
The deal will see the IHG-operated, 308-room Crown Plaza Adelaide on Hindmarsh Square in the CBD operating as the Pullman Adelaide from October 1.
The plan is for the Pullman to complement Accor's presence in the city.
Accor already has the ibis Adelaide, which opened in 2014 and which was also developed by Hines.
Accor will also be operating Adelaide’s first Sofitel hotel, the first five star hotel built in Adelaide in 30 years. It will be a 257 room luxury venue.
Accor Hotels Pacific boss Simon McGrath said Adelaide’s growing tourism industry was being driven by infrastructure development which included the $400 million expansion of the Adelaide Convention Centre, the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval and the $330 million expansion of Adelaide Casino.
"For some time we have been looking to bring the Pullman brand to South Australia, and through our relationship with Hines Property we are thrilled to be operating Pullman Adelaide," Mr McGrath told the Australian Financial Review.
"Pullman is now the fastest-growing upscale brand in Asia-Pacific, and over the past three years our Australian network of Pullman hotels has grown 77 per cent."
Hotel research firm STR figures show Adelaide hotel occupancy has lifted to 79 per cent in the year to July, up from 77.2 per cent the previous year. Average daily room rates have risen to $153 a night from $149.
As a result, a number of new hotels are opening in Adelaide.
These include the Holiday Inn Express is opening this month, and the $50 million Atura hotel operated by ASX-listed Event Hospitality & Entertainment. It is due to open in late 2018 at Adelaide Airport.
by Leon Gettler, August 30th 2017
