New Wave of Luxury Hotels in Australia as IHG Partners with Salter Brothers

IHG Hotels and Resorts has signed a long-term partnership with Salter Brothers to convert several existing hotels in Australia into properties under the InterContinental and Hotel Indigo brands. The agreement covers sites in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, with the return of the Regent brand to Melbourne planned for 2030. In simple terms, several Crowne Plaza hotels will be getting new names and makeovers, both in how they look and how they run, with these updates unfolding gradually in the next few years.

The rebranding affects accommodation in central business districts where many travellers typically stay for both leisure and work. When hotels close for renovations, it often throws off people’s usual booking habits and timing. Switching up hotel names and what they provide might bump up prices, make rooms harder to get for a while and leave returning guests feeling like they’re stepping into a place that only looks familiar on the outside. For returning travellers, it means familiar buildings may no longer offer the same experience, even if the location remains unchanged.

The Melbourne hotel set for redevelopment is located near Federation Square, the National Gallery of Victoria and the city’s laneway network. Visitors staying there will continue to have easy access to the city’s free tram zone, riverfront walks and cultural spaces. For those arriving for events or short urban breaks, the location offers a practical base for exploring without relying on longer-distance transport.

In Canberra, the affected site lies close to Parliament House, the National Museum of Australia and Lake Burley Griffin. Travellers based in this area can reach galleries, institutions and walking routes along the lake by foot. The nearby precinct remains one of the most visited areas of the capital and is commonly chosen for government-related travel, educational visits and national celebrations.

The long-term effect of these changes will likely be a shift in how central hotels operate across major cities. With familiar properties changing brand and function, travellers may need to adjust how they plan accommodation for future visits. Although locations remain strategic, the redefinition of services may lead to a wider range of options that reflect different styles of urban travel.