IHG has opened the first hotel from its new upscale hotel brand: Voco, just five months after it was launched. Owned by Australian property investment firm SB&G Group, Voco Gold Coast is located on the shores of the Surfers Paradise precinct just steps away from Queensland’s famous beaches.

The Voco brand, inspired by the meaning ‘to invite’ or to ‘come together’ in Latin, will combine the informality and charm of an individual hotel with the reassurance of a global brand. The public spaces at Voco Gold Coast emphasise this social element, fittingly named Social House Café, which collectively houses a bar and lounge.

Along with 389 guestrooms, the property features two swimming pools, gym facilities, L’Aqua Day Spa, 800m² of meeting space and generous views of both the ocean and hinterland. Multiple dining options are also available in the form of three restaurants – Waves, Clifford’s Grill & Lounge and Social House – each of which is designed to offer distinct social experiences.

A strong sustainability focus has further resulted in exclusive features such as onsite beehives, which produce honey for various uses throughout the hotel, as well as the installation of refillable dispensers for products such as soap and an initiative with Gold Coast City Council to ensure all kitchen waste is recycled.

“We are proud to be the first owner of a Voco branded hotel in the world and to have worked closely with IHG to bring this new brand and service culture to the Gold Coast, making the high-quality refurbishment a reality in only 5 months,” says Paul Salter, Group Managing Director of SB&G.

Brenden van Blerk, Voco Gold Coast General Manager, adds: “As one of Australia’s all-time favourite holiday destinations, we are very excited to be introducing the Voco brand across the much-loved Gold Coast. Quintessentially Australian, the Gold Coast offers travellers the ultimate getaway with warm weather, amazing beaches and several great ways to have fun. This perfectly aligns with the new Voco hotel – a fun, spirited, upscale offering.”

Tapping into the Gold Coast community, Voco Gold Coast will also offer a calendar of social events held within its street facing public spaces, from a daily high tea experience to weekly trivia nights.

Kenneth Macpherson, CEO EMEAA, IHG, concludes: “IHG launched the Voco brand in June in Australia, we are so pleased to see the brand’s momentum continue here with the first opening in the iconic Gold Coast with long standing partner, SB&G Group. Voco delivers a guest experience that stands out, with touches of charm and memorable, distinctive and dependable hallmarks.”

The debut property was announced by IHG and owners SB&G Group in June 2018, coinciding with the global launch of the brand. With six signings to date, in addition to the four properties that will rebrand as part of the UK portfolio deal, there are expected to be more than fifteen signings in total for the brand by the end of 2018. These include three signings in Australia, in Victoria’s wine region, Yarra Valley and in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, as well as a number of properties in the UK including openings in Solihull and Cardiff.

IHG currently has 48 hotels operating under four brands in Australasia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, with another 22 in the pipeline under Hotel Indigo, Even Hotels and Voco.

www.ihg.com