The largest new-build ibis Styles hotel in Australia - ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street - was officially opened on Wednesday with a ceremonial plaque unveiling led by the Honourable Kate Jones, Queensland Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism and Major Events, hotel owner Sheikh Mubarak A.M. Al Sabah, Founder and Chairman Action Hotels PLC together with Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, AccorHotels Pacific.
His Excellency Sheikh Mubarak A.M. Al-Sabah, a business leader and prominent figure in the Kuwait commerce and social sectors, arrived in Brisbane on Wednesday to debut the tenth and largest hotel in Action Hotel’s portfolio, and the group’s first hotel in Brisbane.
The 368-room ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street is the third hotel property in Australia that Sheikh Mubarak has enlisted AccorHotels to operate, alongside ibis Melbourne Glen Waverley and ibis Budget Melbourne Airport.
In officially welcoming ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street, the Honourable Kate Jones MP was extremely proud to be part of the hotel’s opening as it represents a new economy option for visitors staying in the central Brisbane CBD.
The Honourable Kate Jones MP, said: “Brisbane and its many modern inner-city precincts are becoming well known with their increasing appeal and variety of choice for travellers. Ibis Styles offers these travellers another excellent and affordable accommodation option.”
Sheikh Mubarak A M Al-Sabah, Founder and Chairman of Action Hotels said: “We are very excited by the opening of our first hotel in Brisbane. It is a high quality three star hotel and is well located for both business and pleasure customers which will drive occupancy from day one. The opening of this, our largest hotel, is a big step towards achieving our goal of 5,000 rooms by 2020.
Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, AccorHotels Pacific said: “We are honoured to be working with Action Hotels who have created this exceptional hotel, set to be a new flagship ibis Styles for the region.
“The opening of ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street, is a milestone development for AccorHotels and Action Hotels and we expect this hotel to be a major boost for the local economy not only from a tourism perspective, but also supporting the local economy, creating up to 100 hospitality jobs and during construction nearly 250 jobs,” concluded Simon.
The 368-room new-build hotel features ibis Styles’ signature Sweet Beds, lively colours and upbeat furnishings throughout the hotel and a new restaurant and bar – The Social. The premium economy experience guests can expect includes SmartTV’s with media ports in each room, Wi-Fi connectivity throughout, 24 hour reception, guest laundry as well as meeting space with an outdoor terrace.
Action Hotels PLC are owners, developers and asset managers of economy and midscale hotels in the Middle East and Australia. AccorHotels and Action Hotels currently partner on eight hotels with a further three hotels in the development pipeline. The opening of ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street brings Action Hotels’ operating portfolio to 10 hotels with 1,928 rooms, a 92% increase since IPO.
Ibis Styles forms part of AccorHotels’ three-tiered ibis ‘mega-brand’ portfolio alongside ibis and ibis Budget. Each of the three brands have their own special personality and range of hotel services. Ibis Styles hotels provide a vibrant setting, all-inclusive of continental breakfast.