Accor’s expansion of new-era airport hotels taps into rapidly ascending travel sector

Australia’s largest hotel operator, Accor, is taking off with a new breed of hotels helping transform airport precincts into dynamic mini-cities.

It is forecast that 76 million passengers will pass through Melbourne Airport by 2042, almost doubling 2019 passenger figures.

Accor’s newest airport hotels opened in July at Melbourne Airport. The Novotel and ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotels are third and fourth in the precinct and the first new internationally branded hotels at the airport for almost 20 years.

Reflecting the growth of the airport precinct into an aerotropolis, the two dual-branded hotels offer a comprehensive range of facilities to cater for business, conference and leisure guests, as well as workers and visitors to the airport district.

Facilities include three food and beverage outlets, function facilities for up to 330 guests, and The Aerofoil hotel-serviced co-working space, spread across two floors and available to guests and non-guests for short-term or long-term business.

Guests at both properties and transiting travellers will also have access to Higher State, Melbourne’s first airport health and wellbeing club. The one-of-a-kind club features an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, massage, and fitness centre, providing the ultimate revitalisation sanctuary for travellers.

In addition to the new-build Novotel and ibis Styles hotels, Accor’s Mantra hotel at Tullamarine is about to undergo a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. The comprehensive project involves upgrading executive, premier, and deluxe studios and suites, including new furniture, bedding, and interior design. The hotel’s restaurant and bar will also be refreshed in the process.

Expanding Accor’s airport hotel network

Between 2014 and 2024, Accor has increased its number of airport hotels across the Pacific region by 144% (with 22 airport hotels in 2024 vs nine in 2014).

The opening of the Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport follows other significant Accor airport hotel developments across the Pacific region in the past year.

Australia’s first airport ‘resort’ launched last December following the $30 million investment by Airport Development Group (ADG) in the upgrading and integration of the award-winning Novotel & Mercure Darwin Airport hotels. The reimagined resort property added a 61-metre swimming pool, new pool villas, additional food and beverage outlets, an integrated arrivals and welcome area, extensive Indigenous artwork and murals and an Indigenous training academy.

In New Zealand, Accor recently added a Pullman hotel to its existing Novotel and ibis hotels at Auckland Airport. Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel is the first five-star hotel to open in the Auckland Airport precinct and is just 100m from the front entrance of the international terminal.

Accor now operates 22 airport hotels across the Pacific – the largest airport hotel operator in the region.

Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer PM&E, Adrian Williams, said the expansion of the Group’s airport hotel network highlighted the evolution of airport precincts into major commercial and service centres. “Airport hotels are no longer necessarily just about transiting travellers; they are the engines of whole new integrated multi-use developments that have evolved to offer a complete mix of business, retail, industry and tourism activities,” said Mr Williams.

“Airport precincts are transforming into mini-cities in their own right with their own demand drivers.

“Novotel and ibis Styles Melbourne Airport will be a prime example of hotels fuelling this demand and providing considerably more than just a place to sleep for a night. In particular, we expect the hotels to become highly popular venues for conferences, events, incentives, and functions, fuelled by the range of leisure facilities within the area.

“The reasons to stay at an airport hotel are growing exponentially, particularly in Melbourne, where the lack of integrated transport options to the terminals makes staying overnight at one of our hotels and relaxing and preparing for a major overseas trip one of the best investments a traveller can make. Starting a long international trip stress-free is a massive plus for wellbeing.”

From luxury to economy, Accor operates 19 international brands across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, such as Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, TRIBE, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as Ennismore’s SO/.  

Don’t forget, CTM travellers can also open the door to ALL Accor’s lifestyle loyalty program across our brands, which offers exclusive benefits from the moment you join and allows you to redeem your points on future stays, fantastic experiences and much more! Sign up today here.