Accor Closes a Landmark Year in the Pacific with Major Brand Debuts and a Powerful Run of Year-End Openings

SYDNEY - Accor closes 2025 on a powerful high in the Pacific, marking a year defined by brand debuts, accelerated development activity, and continued leadership across Australia and New Zealand’s tourism landscape.

The arrival of the first Mondrian in Australia, alongside the country’s first branded residential address for Accor, set a bold tone for the year which was further elevated by the debut of Hyde in Melbourne, the much-anticipated opening of 25hours in Sydney, and the launch of JO&JOE and TRIBE in Auckland. Opening just last weekend, Novotel Sydney Cabramatta has debuted as a flagship Novotel in the heart of Western Sydney.

These Accor and Ennismore openings have amplified choice, creativity, and community for travellers, signalling a step-change in the way audiences experience the region’s most dynamic destinations.

What an incredible and defining year for Accor in the Pacific. We’ve launched an array of new world-renowned brands into the region, bolstered our development pipeline, and championed hospitality’s role in energising cities, regional centres, and local communities. I love seeing the impact our teams make every day. Heading into 2026, we’re building on this momentum and creating more meaningful experiences and opportunities for people and places to thrive like never before. Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer for Accor in the Pacific region

Lifestyle arrives in Australia

This year marks the landmark arrival of Ennismore in Australia, with three hotel openings from three of its most iconic lifestyle brands. Ennismore, the fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, represents the Group’s position in lifestyle.

Mondrian Gold Coast introduces a new era of coastal luxury at Burleigh Heads, combining design-led accommodation, standout dining, and relaxed beachside living in a retreat that feels effortlessly like home. Mondrian also marks the group’s first branded residential address in Australia. Hyde Melbourne Place brings the brand’s bohemian spirit to Australia for the first time, offering a vibrant, design-driven sensory experience that reflects the creative energy of Melbourne’s cultural scene. 25hours Hotel The Olympia Sydney celebrates the building’s cinematic heritage with eclectic design, imaginative dining, and art-filled guestrooms, creating a spirited playground for dreamers, explorers, and culture lovers.

Accor to open seven hotels over the last seven weeks of 2025

That momentum continues to build as the year draws to a close. Over the final seven weeks of 2025, Accor will open seven hotels across Australia, spanning every corner of the country - from vibrant city centres to iconic coastal destinations - reflecting strong partner confidence and sustained demand for compelling hospitality experiences.

Mercure Sydney St Leonards – NSW

The return of Mercure Sydney St Leonards brings new energy to Sydney’s Lower North Shore. With refurbishments in the works – the 100 well-appointed rooms will be upgraded, and guests will be able to pick from private courtyards, balconies or spa suites. Ideally located near the Royal North Shore Hospital precinct and commercial hub, guests can relax in modern comfort with easy access to dining, retail and transport.

ibis Styles Melbourne Southbank – VIC

Melbourne is set to welcome ibis Styles Melbourne Southbank, a playful, art-driven addition to the city’s waterfront. The 162-room hotel combines creative flair with affordability, featuring bespoke artwork from local and international artists, relaxed social spaces and a prime location near the CBD.

Saint Kilda Beach Hotel – VIC

Saint Kilda Beach Hotel will join the Accor network ahead of its evolution into a Novotel in 2026. Featuring 80 stylish rooms, two meeting spaces and on-site dining – the modern boutique escape on Melbourne’s iconic Fitzroy Street, blends beachside charm with urban convenience.

BreakFree North Adelaide & Mantra Meridien Adelaide – SA

In North Adelaide, new dual-branded Mantra and BreakFree properties will extend Accor’s reach into key city-fringe and lifestyle precincts. Located on vibrant Melbourne Street, the two properties combine 95 rooms, conference facilities and an outdoor pool. With cafés, boutiques and major attractions such as Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Zoo nearby, they cater to both business and leisure travellers seeking convenience and comfort.

Mantra Mount Gambier – SA

Located just one kilometre from Mount Gambier’s city centre, Mantra Mount Gambier combines contemporary comfort and warm country hospitality with 42 modern rooms. On-site restaurant Noky, showcases the best of the region’s produce in a relaxed bistro setting, ideal for corporate travellers, families and visitors exploring South Australia’s Limestone Coast.

Mantra Hobart Airport – TAS

In Tasmania, Mantra Hobart Airport has re-emerged as the state’s key travel gateway following its conversion. As the only hotel within the Hobart International Airport precinct, the property delivers seamless access for transit travellers, airline crews, corporate groups, and visitors connecting to Tasmania’s cultural and nature-based experiences.

Momentum continues: New openings across Australasia in 2026

Looking ahead, the pipeline remains a compelling reflection of Accor’s long-term vision.

In Victoria, Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street will bring a contemporary new hotel to West Melbourne in 2026, moments from Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, Docklands and Marvel Stadium. The 192-room hotel has been designed to offer warm, light-filled accommodation with thoughtful layouts and modern touches suited to business travellers, city explorers, and event-goers.

Also set to open in 2026, Ennismore’s Hyde Perth will introduce the brand’s signature festival-inspired energy to Western Australia’s capital. Located on Pier Street in the heart of the CBD, the 120-room hotel, including 18 spacious suites, will feature bohemian-chic interiors, two dedicated meeting spaces, a destination restaurant, and a lively bar opening onto an outdoor pool surrounded by lush tropical landscaping.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Pullman Hamilton is emerging as a major new landmark for Hamilton, set to open in 2026. The $100 million transformation of the city’s tallest tower will introduce 191 premium rooms, a day spa, signature dining, valet services, and a private rooftop lounge with expansive city views.

Fuelling tourism through major events

Major events and cultural moments have defined Sydney’s 2025 calendar. Accor Stadium once again brought communities together through unmissable spectacles, from global concert tours to marquee national sporting events, driving exceptional demand and cementing Sydney’s position as one of the world’s great events capitals.

From the electrifying NRL and NRLW Grand Finals to record-breaking concerts by global superstars, Accor Stadium continues to deliver world-class experiences that fill hotels, restaurants and precincts across the city.

The NRL Grand Final in October attracted a sell-out crowd of 80,000+ fans, with Accor hotels in Sydney Centre recording occupancy above 98% on both Saturday and Sunday night – a strong uplift on the previous year. Similarly, the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, which included a blockbuster match at Accor Stadium, generated a surge in interstate and international stays, reinforcing the vital role major events play in driving visitor demand.

Looking ahead, headline international acts such as Ed Sheeran are already locked in, with his The Loop Tour returning to Accor Stadium for three sold-out shows on 13, 14 and 15 February 2026. The city’s appetite for live entertainment shows no sign of slowing.

These high-profile events demonstrate Sydney’s ability to activate tourism at scale - filling hotels, energising local businesses, and creating lasting economic benefit across the visitor economy. With so many major events booked and delivered, Sydney is perfectly positioned to capture the next wave of global travellers. Adrian Williams

Tourism outlook: Travel demand accelerates into 2026

Across Australia, hotel performance continues to build momentum compared with last year, particularly in key cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. This growth has been fuelled by a rise in leisure travel and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) groups, which are both outperforming 2024 levels.

Leisure travel remains especially strong, with travellers seeking experiences beyond the traditional hotel stay. Accor’s booking pace across Australia has averaged 16% higher year-on-year since the start of 2025, while STR market demand is up 3.6%.

Inbound tourism continues to rebound strongly, with international stays in Accor’s Australian hotels up 9% year-on-year, driven by growth from China, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

Sydney has mirrored this national upswing, with year-to-date STR market demand for Sydney and its surrounds up 5.2% on last year. The city continues to benefit from surging leisure travel and strong meeting and event group activity, with Accor recording an average booking pace increase of 6% since January.

International visitation into Accor’s Sydney hotels is up 13% year-on-year, supported by growth from China, the Republic of Korea and Indonesia, and further reinforcing Sydney’s position as one of the most desirable global destinations.

From luxury to economy, Accor operates more than 400 hotels in the Pacific region under renowned brands 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/, Mondrian, 25hours, Hyde and JO&JOE.

Media Contact

Naomi Hammond

Communications Manager - Pacific [email protected] +61(0) 434 738 380