Marriott takes over iconic Sydney hotel

Marriott takes over iconic Sydney hotel
By admin


Sydney’s Pier One Hotel in Walsh Bay has become part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection as it parted ways with former management company Accor.

The heritage property, formerly known as Sebel Pier One, has an over-water location on the Harbour.

Owner Bob Magid told media that all of the major hotel groups had expressed an interest in the heritage property on Sydney Harbour as its agreement with Accor approached its end.

“In the end, it came down to Marriott and Accor, and Marriott was clearly the preferred choice, despite the fact that Accor was being a lot more generous,” he revealed.

Accor’s lease expired on February 1, with Marriott now in place as the new managers. There will be no change in the immediate future, as many parts of the hotel, including its meeting facilities, have been newly renovated.

“There will be a point where changes need to be made, but it’s not urgent,” Magid said.

He identified the hotel’s entrance as an area that requires attention, but underlined the difficulties of obtaining the relevant permissions to adapt a heritage building.

“But we’re hoping that by the end of September, we will have a total revolution in our entrance and our restaurants.”

New managers Marriot agreed that the industry should  “watch this space” with some exciting changes scheduled to take place down the line, with more details to be revealed shortly.

Meanwhile, the property will continue to be sold at around the same price point, director of sales and marketing Helen Radic told Travel Today, although that may be reconsidered when the property is finally enhanced.

Meanwhile, Marriott’s vice president for Australia, Neeraj Chadha, described the new partnership as a “fantastic marriage”, combining the hotelier’s powerful engine with the hotel’ enviable location.

The Sydney property is one of three new properties to join the Autograph portfolio of independent hotels this season, alongside Pier South Resort in San Diego, California and the Hotel Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 57 hotels in the collection.

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