Opening date locked in for Geelong’s largest hotel

THE opening date has been set for Crowne Plaza’s new hotel on Geelong’s waterfront, with rooms now available to book.

The 200-room development will open on January 23, ahead of a busy calendar of major events including the Festival of Sails and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

The hotel, to be located within the new Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct, will be the largest in the region.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the development would strengthen local tourism.

“This will provide a huge boost for the region’s visitor economy, which already attracts thousands of visitors from around the globe to Victoria every year,” he said.

The $120 million hotel is funded by Plenary Group and will be operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts under the Crowne Plaza brand.

The hotel’s facilities will include meeting and event spaces overlooking Corio Bay, a ground-floor cafe, a restaurant and bar on level one, an indoor heated pool, gym and the Skybar on level 10.

Plenary is also delivering the adjacent $449 million Nyaal Banyal Geelong Convention and Event Centre project, which is expected to open in July.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director Tracy Carter said the hotel marked a significant step for the region as it grows it accommodation offering and international reach.

“We are delighted to see the opening of Crowne Plaza Geelong,” she said. “It’s a significant milestone for the precinct and the opportunities our region has with Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

“It’s also an important addition to the local accommodation offer as we look to build new markets, particularly internationally. Hotels with global brand recognition are a crucial part of the product mix.”