Salter Brothers and IHG open first voco™ hotel globally on Australia’s Gold Coast
Salter Brothers and IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) have today opened the first voco™ hotel globally on the Gold Coast, just five months after the hotel acquisition (previously Watermark Hotel) was completed by Salter Brothers, and the new voco™ upscale hotel brand was launched by IHG.
The Mayor of the Gold Coast, Tom Tate and CEO of Destination Gold Coast, Annaliese Battista were among the dignitaries that officially opened voco™ Gold Coast at a packed ribbon cutting ceremony at the hotel this morning.
Located on the shores of the Gold Coast, voco™ Gold Coast is now open for guests to soak up the sun, sand and sea in Australia’s beloved Surfers Paradise.
voco™, inspired by the meaning ‘to invite’ or to ‘come together’ in Latin, will combine the informality and charm of an individual hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. The public spaces of voco™ Gold Coast emphasise this social element, fittingly named Social House Café, which collectively houses a bar and lounge within the venue, offering a space for everyone.
With 389 rooms, the property is situated in the heart of Australia’s iconic Surfers Paradise precinct and steps away from Queensland’s famous beaches. The hotel offers all the features that guests can expect from the upscale voco™ brand including two swimming pools, gym facilities, L’Aqua Day Spa, 800sqm of meeting space and expansive views of both the ocean and hinterland. Multiple dining options are also available in the hotel’s three unique restaurants – Waves, Clifford’s Grill & Lounge and Social House – all designed to offer vibrant social experiences for voco™ guests to enjoy.
voco™ Gold Coast also offers several exclusive features that sets it apart from existing hotels, starting with their onsite beehives, producing honey for various uses throughout the hotel. The strong sustainability focus also promises refillable dispensers for products such as soap, along with a high-end Aveda amenity and an initiative with Gold Coast City Council to ensure all kitchen waste is recycled.
The voco™ Gold Coast signing was announced by IHG and owners SB&G Group in June 2018, coinciding with the global launch of the voco™ brand.
Paul Salter, Salter Brothers Group Managing Director, said: “We are proud to be the first owner of a voco™ branded hotel in the world and to have worked closely with IHG to bring this new brand and service culture to the Gold Coast, making the high-quality refurbishment a reality in only 5 months.”
Brenden van Blerk, voco™ Gold Coast General Manager, said: “As one of Australia’s all-time favourite holiday destinations, we are very excited to be introducing the voco™ brand across the much-loved Gold Coast. Quintessentially Australian, the Gold Coast offers travellers the ultimate getaway with warm weather, amazing beaches and several great ways to have fun. This perfectly aligns with the new voco™ hotel – a fun, spirited, upscale offering.”
Kenneth Macpherson, CEO EMEAA, IHG,said: “IHG launched the voco™ brand in June in Australia, we are so pleased to see the brand’s momentum continue here with the first opening in the iconic Gold Coast with long standing partner, Salter Brothers. voco™ delivers a guest experience that stands out, with touches of charm and memorable, distinctive and dependable hallmarks.”
As the first owner of a voco™ branded hotel globally, Salter Brothers welcomes the value that the distinctive voco™ brand offers owners regarding the ability to drive higher returns through delivering a compelling guest experience and leveraging IHG’s powerful systems. This includes best-in-class revenue management and technology capabilities as well as IHG® Rewards Club, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes.