At the official opening of New Zealand's first-ever voco property and new Holiday Inn Express, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff underscored the importance of the tourism industry and new tourism infrastructure to Auckland.
As part of a partnership between Pro-invest Group and IHG Hotels & Resorts, voco Auckland City Centre and Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre is a one-of-a-kind, $200-million dual-hotel development in the central city, which opened to the public earlier in May.
Mayor Goff was joined by Ronald Stephen Barrott, Founder & Chairman of Pro-invest Group; Leanne Harwood, IHG's Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Japan, Australasia, & Pacific; and 80 development and industry partners to commemorate the official opening of the two hotels at voco Auckland City Centre's rooftop bar, Bar Albert – the tallest hotel bar in the country boasting majestic views of the city skyline.
According to Mayor Goff, as he unveiled a plaque, the two hotels are set to become key assets for Auckland's tourism offering and infrastructure after over two years of disruptions.
"The opening of the new voco hotel and Holiday Inn Express is a positive sign of Auckland's recovery and will help draw visitors to our city centre, providing a welcome boost to local businesses and enhancing the vibrancy of our downtown precinct."
The launch of New Zealand's first hotel under the voco brand and Holiday Inn Express signal a positive turn in the local tourism landscape.
"Adding two new hotels in the one tower with distinct yet complementary offerings to the Auckland CBD is a significant milestone for the city and Pro-invest Group," said Barrott, Founder & Chairman of Pro-invest Group.
"The voco Auckland City Centre and Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre hotels offer contemporary design, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a comfortable stay in the heart of the CBD, and open at a time when New Zealand is regaining momentum with the full return of international travellers."
As the city undergoes a period of significant investment and growth with numerous cranes in the sky and the New Zealand International Convention Centre and City Rail Link under construction, these new hotels are crucial in welcoming visitors back and breathing life back into the CBD.
Conveniently located in the heart of Auckland on the corner of Albert and Wyndham Street, voco Auckland City Centre integrates premium essentials with indulgent touches to deliver 201 spacious rooms and suites that showcase voco's warm signature style.
Each stylishly appointed guestroom and suite boasts expansive city views and features plush, sustainable bedding with cocoon-like comfort, hand-picked artworks, innovative in-room technology, and stylish marble bathrooms fitted with eco-friendly rain showers and amenities from Antipodes.
voco Auckland City Centre is an ideal destination for conferences, meetings, and events. In addition to Bar Albert voco's rooftop destination, which boasts the title of New Zealand's highest rooftop bar with an open-air terrace, and all-day dining trattoria Mozzarella & Co. on the ground floor, the hotel offers five flexible meeting rooms.
Designed and developed to reduce its environmental impact, voco Auckland City Centre and Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre seek to obtain a Level 3/Level 4 certification under IHG's Green Engage sustainability scheme. The hotels are also part of 'Net Zero by 2030'—Pro-invest Group's overarching sustainability strategy. The dedicated ESG brand, One Earth, Countless Experiences by Pro-invest Group, will further activate sustainability at the Auckland hotels.
As one of IHG's fastest-growing hotel brands, Holiday Inn Express is loved for its approach to simple, smart travel. Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre comprises 294 well-appointed guestrooms featuring walk-in showers, black-out blinds, an efficient workstation, and high-quality bedding with a choice of firm or soft pillows.
The brand's perks for travellers include fast check-in and unlimited fast WiFi. The hotel offers three flexible meeting rooms for business travellers that accommodate up to 40 people. There is also a 24-hour reception, a fitness room and a self-service laundry.
