Hotel takes shape at key tourist port
THE opening of a new $40m luxury hotel at Tasmania’s sea gateway will provide a much-needed high-end accommodation option in a city which tourism experts say is now reaching maturity.
Accor, together with Singapore’s Fragrance Group, will open the new Novotel Devonport later this year.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said it had been more than a decade since there had been a major hotel development in the North West and there was a “massive catch-up” needed.
“This international brand coming to the North West shows it is reaching maturity
as a destination,” Mr Martin (right) said. “It will also be one of the first things passengers on the Spirit of Tasmania will see as they sail into the state.”
The 187-room hotel is on a prime site overlooking the Mersey River and near the city’s new elevated walkway.
It will feature a restaurant and bar, 24-hour room service, fitness centre, and a meeting room for up to 20 delegates.
Accor said the Lyons Architecture-designed hotel was intended to act as a horizontal land bridge – visually connecting
the river to the city. “The hotel seemingly floats above its parkland setting as a striking elevated structure propped on sculptural columns,” the company said.
Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff said the privately funded hotel was one of the most significant tourism investments to happen in the region.
A new hotel was part of the Devonport City Council’s Living City master plan, adopted in 2014.
Ms Rockliff said the hotel would complement the council’s $17m Waterfront Park project and the increased accommodation capacity would be a foundation stone for new growth.
“Living City was a 10-year plus vision to create a new Devonport – a bold new future, valuing all that was good about the city, yet recognising that there was potential to aim higher,” Ms Rockliff said.
“It is more than new buildings. It provides new opportunities, new tourist drawcards and new experiences.”
She said Rex Airlines’ recent announcement of a return to Devonport Airport in August was a further vote of confidence in the city.
Accor Pacific chief executive Sarah Derry said the popular international hotel brand would expose Devonport and the greater region to a broader market and contribute to the region’s ability to attract major conferences, events and groups.
Ms Derry said Devonport had historically been undersupplied with quality accommodation offerings despite being a major gateway for tourism and trade.
Novotel Devonport is the fifth hotel Fragrance Group chief executive James Koh has partnered with Accor in Australia. It will offer standard, superior and deluxe guestrooms, along with executive suites.
The hotel is also collaborating with local photographer Nuala Byrne to create a striking mural of North West Tasmanian scenery that will be featured behind the bedhead in each guestroom.