IHG to open Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast

IHG has announced the continued expanstion of the Crowne Plaza brand of hotels in Australia, with the company signing a franchise agreement to rebrand the Ramada Pelican Waters on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast as Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters Golf Resort and Spa on 1 March 2008.

Originally opened in late 2005 and designed to cater to both leisure guests and professional conferences, the hotel exemplifies the calibre of location, services and facilities that regular guests have come to expect of Crowne Plaza hotels.  More than 1,000 square metres of meeting and event space is complemented with a range of leisure and recreational facilities including the Endota Day Spa, fitness centre, two swimming pools, tennis courts, in-house restaurant and a lounge bar. The hotel is located half an hour’s drive from Sunshine Coast Airport and less than an hour north of Brisbane International Airport, offering views of the heritage-listed Glasshouse Mountains and of the Pacific Ocean.

One of the hotel’s key features is its location on the Greg Norman-designed 18-hole Club Pelican Golf course, complementing Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley north of Sydney and Crowne Plaza Royal Pines Golf Resort and Spa on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Crowne Plaza continues to increase its global association with golf – most recently as the new official accommodation partner to the Australian Open.

This rebranding follows the recent opening of Crowne Plaza Torquay on the south coast of Victoria, which brings the total number of Crowne Plaza hotels in Australia to 16. Globally, there are 299 Crowne Plaza hotels with another 118 in the pipeline.

“This hotel represents everything we look for as we continue to build our network of Crowne Plaza hotels in Australia.”  “The location of the hotel is desirable and provides easy access for leisure, meeting and conference guests. It is set on a world-class golf course and features a range of accommodation and facilities that reflects the quality our guests expect,” said Keith Barr, chief operating officer, Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, IHG.

“The introduction of another golf-based hotel to our Australian Crowne Plaza network is a welcome addition as we continue to integrate our brand with golf both locally and internationally.”  “Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters Golf Resort and Spa will provide another option for leisure travellers and event planners looking for a first-class location where they can step from their room or meeting onto the greens,” Mr Barr added.

Tom Derichs of Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters Golf Resort and Spa, said he and his team were excited at the hotel entering a new era as a Crowne Plaza, adding, “Being part of the Crowne Plaza network provides access to a world of resources, including an award-winning loyalty programme, Priority Club Rewards which has 37 million members worldwide.”  ” The rebranding will also generate additional attention to and enthusiasm for the Sunshine Coast through an extensive marketing campaign of the hotel and the region.”

“IHG manages some of the most profitable hotels across the nation, which will deliver a powerful advantage to our investors,” Mr Derichs added.

A Report by The Mole