IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies with over 6,000 hotels across 19 distinct brands, has opened its newest and third Hotel Indigo in Australia.
Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders marks the debut of the brand in Melbourne on the city’s most iconic laneway. Flinders Lane runs the entire length of the city and is a prominent feature in the bustling CBD.
The Eastern end is home to the city’s most renowned restaurants while the Western end pays homage to its seafaring and goldmining heritage with amazing architecture, warehouses and hidden historical gems. Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders’ neighbourhood offers a laneway culture of street art, hidden cafés, bars, boutiques and galleries right on the hotel’s doorstep.
The landmark property owned and operated by Pro-invest Group showcases 216 reinvented guest rooms which have been inspired by the intriguing and colourful legends of its Flinders Lane neighbourhood, primarily the internationally acclaimed fashion photographer, Helmut Newton whose original studio was nearby. Newton became one of the most famous fashion photographers in the world known for his edgy work that featured the likes of Grace Jones, David Bowie and Andy Warhol.
Newton’s work was a muse for the hotel’s design and guests will see fashion, art and runway combine with interiors paying homage to the photographic artform – starting with a dramatic lobby-gallery space and lounge filled with collected pieces and a specially designed selfie booth for guests to capture their own Newton-esque memory.
The ‘lights, camera, action’ themed design by Australian-firm Suede Interiors continues throughout the guest rooms featuring commissioned works by local artists’, spacious work desks and dynamic city views across a patchwork of heritage and new buildings. A mezzanine level fitness centre with body weight powered equipment adds to the hotel’s sustainable credentials (opening October) and stylish meeting and event facilities for up to 200 guests will be complete in early 2024.
Guests won’t need to wander far to discover the city’s renowned dining, with the opening of new streetside Spanish bar and restaurant BESO housed within the hotel. Helmed by Ana Cortes Garcia, a Spaniard with vast international experience and a Melbourne Chef’s Hat accolade, diners will be treated to contemporary twists on traditional Spanish tapas. Local hospitality industry stalwart, Guy Holder, directs the offering that also includes a vibrant list of Victorian and Spanish wines.
General Manager of Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, Joseph Simmons said: “We’re confident our intriguing Flinders Lane neighbourhood, the Helmut Newton inspired styling and stories of the city artfully weaved into everything we do will fascinate and inspire our guests to discover Melbourne in new ways.”
Matt Tripolone, Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts – Australasia & Pacific, said of the opening: “We are thrilled that the first Hotel Indigo property will launch in Victoria. It’s an exciting time for the brand as it continues to grow in Australasia and across the globe as one of the world’s leading boutique lifestyle brands. No two Hotel Indigos are alike and, with Melbourne as its neighbourhood inspiration Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders will be an exceptional example of the brand’s culturally rich boutique offering as we continue to evolve IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle category – from the hotel’s intriguing art and fashion-led design to its culinary offering built around the unique tale of Melbourne’s Flinders Lane.” - TradeArabia News Service