IHG’s first Intercontinental Hotel on News Zealand’s South Island

IHG is set to launch its first InterContinental hotel on New Zealand’s South Island after signing a management agreement with leading property developer, Melview Developments Limited to establish the brand in Queenstown.

As part of Melview’s Kawarau Falls Station site, Queenstown’s two remaining north-facing sites overlooking Lake Wakatipu, the 221-room InterContinental Queenstown is due for completion in 2010. 

It will join Crowne Plaza Queenstown, situated in central Queenstown, as the second hotel managed by IHG in the country’s adventure capital, and will complement InterContinental Wellington to become IHG’s second InterContinental hotel in New Zealand.

InterContinental Queenstown will feature over 3,000 square metres of conference and meeting facilities, the largest of any hotel in Queenstown, as well as a health spa with outdoor pool and jacuzzis. 

The hotel’s ingenious design will take full advantage of the site from the escarpment’s highest point to capture the surrounding lake and mountain views.

Today’s signing represents an extension of the relationship between the developer and hotel management company, which in March 2007 saw the opening of Holiday Inn Wellington, the first new hotel to be built in the New Zealand capital for over 15 years.

“Melview has demonstrated extraordinary vision with its plans for the Kawarau Falls Station site and we’re delighted to be part of that vision with InterContinental Queenstown.

Our InterContinental strategy is focused on establishing this premium brand in key gateway and leisure destinations and this project will be a perfect example of that approach,” said IHG chief operating officer, Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Keith Barr.

“Domestic and international visitor numbers to Queenstown continue to increase, and its appeal as one of the world’s most aspirational destinations is undeniable.  We are excited at the prospect of attracting our committed InterContinental guests to the region, continuing our tradition of providing them with authentic experiences and exceptional service in the best locations throughout the world.”

Melview Developments Limited managing director, Nigel McKenna said today’s signing with IHG to manage a key element of the Kawarau Falls Station development marks the beginning of one of the region’s most ambitious development projects to date.

“Everything about this luxury development – including hotels, retail and residential – has been approached with respect to an international audience.  Queenstown has a widespread appeal that is evidenced by its proportion of international operators and investors, and our intention for the Kawarau Falls Station site is to appeal to that trend.

“Signing IHG to manage the largest single piece of the development made sense given our existing partnership and the Group’s impressive international scale, well-positioned brands and global sales and marketing capabilities. We’re as excited as they are to see an InterContinental hotel in Queenstown and look forward to working with them as the concept evolves in the lead up to opening in 2010,” Mr McKenna said.

Construction of InterContinental Queenstown will commence in late 2007.

Report by The Mole