Canberra Airport Hotel Revealed
Canberra Airport today announced that its partner in the new 4.5 star hotel to be built adjacent to the new terminal will be Toga Far East Hotels (TFE Hotels) under the Vibe Hotel brand.
Canberra Airport Managing Director Stephen Byron said: “After a six month operator selection process, Vibe Hotels was chosen as the winning brand with TFE Hotels’ understanding of the brief best aligned with our vision for the future.
“TFE Hotels is a leading hotel operator in Australia and operates the highly-respected Adina Apartment Hotels, Medina Serviced Apartments, Rendezvous Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Travelodge Hotels and Hotel Kurrajong Canberra. TFE Hotels is a joint venture between Australian family-owned company Toga Group and Far East Hospitality, Singapore’s largest private property developer. Toga has a network of more than 65 hotels and serviced apartment complexes with more than 9,000 rooms across Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
“Canberra Airport is excited to be embarking on this venture with TFE Hotels, particularly as it strengthens the regional relationship with Singapore, one of Australia’s most important economic, intellectual and trading partners.
“The partnership brings a market of 900,000 highly-educated, high-income Australians a step closer to Singapore.”
Toga Group Managing Director Allan Vidor said: “Since forming the joint venture with Far East Hospitality almost a year ago, Toga Group’s hospitality arm TFE Hotels has been actively pursuing growth opportunities in the accommodation sector.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Canberra Airport to deliver a brand new hotel – Vibe Hotel Canberra – which will provide business and leisure travellers with convenient 4.5 star accommodation at the airport and just a stone’s throw from the CBD.
“The announcement of this iconic new Vibe hotel is testimony to Canberra Airport’s commitment to maintaining its position as Australia’s leading airport and its strong vision for the Canberra region.”
Mr Byron also unveiled the winning design for the hotel by architectural firm Bates Smart, engaged for the building and interior design after a design competition conducted last year. Situated just 150 metres from the entry to the new terminal, the building will be centred around a full height atrium featuring a large ground floor intermingle zone with reception, bar, restaurant and conferencing facilities.
The hotel will have a business travel focus and consist of 191 rooms and suites over seven storeys with sweeping views over Lake Burley Griffin to Parliament House, and across the runway to the east.
CEO of TFE Hotels, Rachel Argaman, commented: “We are honoured to have been selected to operate the hotel in such a prominent position in the nation’s capital. The location will service travellers using the beautiful new airport, as well as the surrounding business parks and defence precincts.”
Canberra Airport was assisted during the operator selection process by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels & Hospitality Group.
The hotel will be built by local firm Construction Control commencing in May this year and is expected to be completed by October 2015 with the first guests welcomed in November 2015.
“Vibe Hotel Canberra is the first new nationally-branded, full-service premium hotel to be set up in Canberra since the Novotel more than a decade ago,” Mr Byron said.
“It will generate more than 600 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase and more than 200 ongoing direct and indirect jobs once it commences operation.
“An airport hotel has been long envisaged in our master plan and will strengthen the case for international flights and increased domestic capacity by delivering a premium accommodation option for travellers,” Mr Byron said.
Artists’ renditions of the hotel are available upon request.
Media inquiries: Jane Seaborn 0414 829 282