Melbourne’s Rydges on Swanston to get a fresh start

Melbourne’s Rydges on Swanston to get a fresh start

Travellers to Melbourne’s Carlton precinct will soon have a new globally-branded hotel to call home when Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton opens in the first half of 2021.

The five-storey property, which has previously operated as Rydges on Swanston, has been purchased by Ross Pelligra’s Carlton Property Group and will convert to the upscale Crowne Plaza brand – part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) – following a full refurbishment.

“Melbourne is one of the world’s great cities and I’m absolutely confident in the long term, which is why I’m backing it by bringing a world-class premium hotel brand to Carlton,” Pelligra said.

“Given our expertise in construction and ongoing commitment to build or reposition assets in partnership with IHG, we plan to lift the game and give this property a full refurb and a fresh start as Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton in early 2021.

“As travellers flock back to Melbourne, I know that this hotel, with its winning location and exceptional rooftop pool bar and event facilities, will be the place they choose to stay.”

All public spaces, meeting facilities and 107 guest rooms will enjoy a full refurbishment to bring them up to the Crowne Plaza standard, along with the building’s exterior, which will also get an update.

Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton will also include an all-day restaurant and bar, gym and undercover parking, as well as a rooftop pool and bar.

Its meeting and event spaces will feature nine rooms with a total of 652 square metres, including a 300-guest, theatre-style space.

Abhijay Sandilya, vice president of development across Australasia, Japan and the Pacific at IHG, said: “We are delighted to sign our latest management agreement with Ross Pelligra, adding to his portfolio of IHG hotels that already includes Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport, and the upcoming Holiday Inn properties in Melbourne’s Werribee and Richmond.

“This is a true story of partnership, and we are so excited to grow together to bring amazing hotels to the Australian market.

“Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton will make a perfect addition to the Melbourne accommodation landscape and a great second Crowne Plaza for Melbourne.”

The contemporary hotel with its Swanston Street frontage enjoys a coveted location overlooking Lincoln Square, just minutes’ walk from Melbourne’s University Precinct, the Biomedical Precinct and Queen Victoria Market.

Rydges on Swanston got plenty of unwanted attention earlier this year after experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak among workers while being used by the Victorian government as a quarantine hotel.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]