Carlton welcomes first international hotel brand

Carlton has welcomed its first internationally branded hotel, with Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton officially opened on July 13 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Tourism Minister Natalie Suleyman.

The Minister was joined by Lord Mayor Nick Reece, Member for Melbourne Sarah Witty, IHG Hotels & Resorts managing director Australasia and Pacific Matt Tripolone, and Pelligra Group founder and director Ross Pelligra to mark the opening of the new hotel.

The 107-room Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton is a partnership between IHG Hotels & Resorts and Pelligra Group and represents a significant new addition to Carlton’s accommodation and visitor economy.

The hotel, which first opened its doors in late April, is positioned on the edge of the CBD and within close reach of Melbourne’s major universities, medical institutions, cultural attractions and sporting precincts.

Mr Tripolone said Melbourne remained one of Australia’s most important business and leisure destinations, and that the opening reflected IHG’s confidence in the city’s future.

“Together with Pelligra Group, we are proud to bring an internationally recognised hotel brand to Carlton for the first time, in a location that is well placed to serve corporate travellers, academics, families, sporting fans and weekend visitors,” he said.

“What makes this hotel so special is its genuine connection to the neighbourhood. Carlton has such a strong identity, from its food culture and universities to its proximity to the CBD, hospitals and major events.”

He said the hotel offered guests a new way to experience Carlton’s energy, while providing the comfort, service and reliability associated with the Crowne Plaza brand.

Mr Pelligra said Carlton’s character and continuing evolution made it the ideal location for the new hotel.

“Carlton has always had a special character,” he said. “It’s one of Melbourne’s most diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods, with a rich European heritage, incredible food culture and a real buzz thanks to the universities and students who come here from all over the world.”

He said the vision was to create more than just a hotel, but a place where locals and visitors could gather to eat, drink and spend time.

At street level, the hotel’s signature restaurant Fico Carlton draws on the suburb’s Italian heritage, offering a contemporary take on the classic trattoria experience.

The hotel also features more than 270 square metres of flexible meeting and event space, including four function rooms and a dedicated pre-function area, positioning it to attract business events, private functions and social gatherings.

Plans are also under way for a rooftop bar, which is expected to further strengthen the hotel’s appeal as a hospitality destination within Carlton.

The opening comes as Melbourne’s visitor economy continues to recover and grow, with inner-city precincts such as Carlton increasingly playing a role in attracting business, education, medical, cultural and leisure travellers.

For more information: crowneplaza.com