Hilton (brand) returning to MEL

[JessicaTam]

I did ask if a Conrad was coming, and I got a definite 'no'.

 

[boomy]

I did ask if a Conrad was coming, and I got a definite 'no'.

No market for Conrad or Waldorf Astoria
The unfinished Ritz Carlton is sad reminder.

 

[Virgin Bart]

The unfinished Ritz Carlton is sad reminder.

Tell me more about this? I wasn't aware!

 

[ric_melb]

This thread is very interesting. Good to know Hilton are looking at one if not two hotels in Melbourne.
Anywhere in King Street would not be the most desirable location in Melbourne, but things could be changing. The Grollos have bought all the properties between Collins Street and Flinders Lane, including the Rialto Buildings which they have owned for years. In addition Fragrance Hotels are building a mixed use apartment building at 555 Colins Street, on the opposite corner of King and Collins Streets to the Rialto. There were some plans to put a 300 room hotel into that building, but it's not clear on whether that is going ahead. A likely contender to be a Hilton?
Alan Watts, Hilton Asia Pacific President, is quoted at length in an article in The Australian.
Amongst other quotes he said:

Hilton aim to double their existing 23 Australian properties by 2023. (Similar aim to Marriott.)
They are eyeing more opportunities in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.
They think Sydney is a place they could launch a Conrad hotel.
To him their only aspiration for a Conrad is Sydney and possibly Auckland.
Personally I would question putting a Conrad in Auckland before Melbourne but the following indicates their strategy.
"Generally we deploy a Hilton to a city and then go above or below it with a Conrad or Doubletree."
So Melbourne needs to get a Hilton in place first!

It's great to see the American chains building hotels in Australia at last after decades of not expanding their footprint here.

 

[Danger]

No market for Conrad or Waldorf Astoria
The unfinished Ritz Carlton is sad reminder.

Yet apparently there's a market for a Ritz-Cartlon in Perth. I absolutely cannot see that being a success.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yet apparently there's a market for a Ritz-Cartlon in Perth. I absolutely cannot see that being a success.

With Crown Towers, Westin and Ritz coming in...it'll be tough.

But WA has a really high percentage of so-called staycationers which can be somewhat relied upon to fill some rooms at the lower prices.

 

[serfty]

Note that Hyatt are planning a new property in the same area, near Collins St in Downie St. (Same Block as the Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders.)

Little Projects lands Hyatt Centric for Downie Street

 

[penegal]

Interesting. I look forward to some firmer announcements.

King St isn't quite what it once was (e.g. during the war), although it may change more over the coming years. Notably there has been plenty of activity in the office space market at that end of town, so the area isn't quite the "wrong end" of town it once was.

Also, the free tram zone and continuing docklands development means that part of town may appeal to more travelers.

 

[Isochronous]

It's kind of frustrating to see that most of the new hotels being developed in Australia are low-end rather than captivating 5 star properties.

 

[penegal]

It's kind of frustrating to see that most of the new hotels being developed in Australia are low-end rather than captivating 5 star properties.

I agree, although with both business and leisure travelers watching the dollar, that's where the demand is.

 

[oz_mark]

It's kind of frustrating to see that most of the new hotels being developed in Australia are low-end rather than captivating 5 star properties.

Kinda like first class slowly receding on airlines. Everyone aspires to it, very few want to pay for it.

 

[Must...Fly!]

It's kind of frustrating to see that most of the new hotels being developed in Australia are low-end rather than captivating 5 star properties.

Crown Towers hasn't set the world on fire in Perth by any means. Such is life.

 

[melb78]

I hope they announce very soon like today would be good

 

[JessicaTam]

The negotiations on an existing building have stalled. HH weren't willing to pay what the owner was asking.

 

[JessicaTam]

The negotiations on an existing building have stalled. HH weren't willing to pay what the owner was asking.

Further to my last...

The building they were looking to buy was for a Curio brand hotel on Kings St. The build elsewhere for the Hilton brand is still going ahead.

 

[melb78]

I wonder where fo the HH

 

[boomy]

From what I heard Hilton is planned in Bourke St but I’m surprised no official announcement yet, it’s been awhile.

 

[melb78]

I wonder where in Bourke st not may places tho

 

[ric_melb]

It is a pity that Australian hotel projects seem to take time to put together, seldom open on schedule, and also fall through.
However despite some hiccups Marriott/Starwood seem to be a step ahead of Hilton in respect of their Melbourne pipeline.

I went past the site for their Aloft hotel in South Yarra today, and note that it has been fully cleared. So hopefully the estimated opening date of 15 March 2020 will come to fruition.
The group have 5 additional hotels planned for Melbourne.
Element Richmond.
W Collins Street.
Le Meridian Bourke Street.
Marriott Docklands.
Ritz Carlton Spencer Street. (Though boomy has expressed doubts ).

In regard to captivating hotels, some of the above may fit the bill, but I also note that Shangrila and Mandarin Oriental have plans to open hotels in Melbourne.

 

[Moopere]

The current DT is not exactly in the most quiet location either but seems to be doing very well.

For the record I do agree with you. King St is one area I try my best to avoid, especially at night.

The DT I suspect is only really doing as well as it is because its the only Hilton in town. That area of the CBD has been in dire need of a refurb for at least 25 years or more. Its grubby, quite decrepit, and full of $1 style shops. Luckily for the DT, its only a relatively short walk to Southbank.

As for King st.... well it _used_ to be a really vibrant night club area 30 years ago when I lived in MEL. Those clubs are long gone now, at least 20 years and more, and, tbh, they were a thing of their time, wouldn't suit the current fashion. Once they closed though, the whole area became more than just a bit dodgy. I haven't been a resident for too long now, don't really know what its like nowadays, but I suspect, like a lot of the south end of town, it could use a bit of spit-n-polish.