Starwood Signs W Hotel in Brisbane, Australia

Starwood has signed an agreement with Shayher Leisure Holdings for a W Hotel in Brisbane, Australia. The signing marks the re-entry of the W brand to Australia.

Scheduled to open in early 2018 as part of a mixed-use development, W Brisbane will be located on George Street at the western end of the central business district, overlooking the Brisbane River.

Located on 300 George Street by the Brisbane River, the mixed-use development is a joint venture between Shayher Group and Pau Jar Group of Taiwan.

The development will comprise of three separate towers - W Brisbane will occupy one tower, while the other two towers will be used for premium office and commercial space and high-end residences. The development will also feature podium level retail outlets.

W Brisbane will offer 305 guestrooms, including 25 suites and an Extreme Wow Suite, the W brand’s reinterpretation of the traditional Presidential Suite. It will also feature more than 960 square metres of meeting and event space, as well as a 24-hour business centre, spa, workout facility, indoor heated swimming pool, and a small shop.

In addition, the hotel will house three unique restaurants and bars, including an all-day dining restaurant, Pool Bar and the W Lounge.

“We have been looking for the right location and partner to bring W Hotels back to Australia for some time, and as an emerging and vibrant international city, Brisbane presents the perfect opportunity for the W brand’s re-entry in the market,” said Andrew Taylor, Director of Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Pacific Region. “Brisbane has evolved into a sophisticated city off the back of growth in both the commercial and residential sectors, and continues to emerge as a mature, stylish and progressive destination for the new generation of global travellers who seek out contemporary luxury.”

W Brisbane will join Starwood’s 14 properties in Australia, as part of a pipeline of 15 W Hotels set to open in the Asia Pacific region before 2019. Over the next four years, W Hotels will debut in Beijing, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai and Jakarta, among other Asian destinations.