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Two new hotels forming the centrepiece of Geelong's waterfront renewal have opened their doors, adding 380 rooms to the city's accommodation stock and establishing the first genuine waterfront hotel precinct that Geelong has had in its modern history.
The Marriott-operated hotel at the northern end of the precinct offers 204 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and bar with panoramic views across Corio Bay to the Bellarine Peninsula, and conference facilities capable of accommodating events of up to 350 delegates. Adjacent to it, a boutique 176-room property operated by an independent operator occupies the converted heritage wool store building, with rooms featuring exposed timber and masonry that reflect the building's industrial history.
Tourism Greater Geelong chief executive Tracey Voyce said the hotels would transform Geelong's conference and events capacity, as existing accommodation had been too fragmented to support major national conferences. "We have been turning away conferences worth $2 to $5 million to the local economy because we couldn't house the delegates in a single precinct. We can do that now," she said.
Both properties reported occupancy above 80 per cent in their first four weeks of operation, ahead of modelled projections. The Marriott's rooftop bar immediately became one of the highest-rated dining venues in the city on review platforms, drawing locals as well as guests.
Committee for Geelong described the hotel openings as a critical enabling step for the city's conference and events strategy, which targets hosting 50 major national conferences annually by 2028.
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Cunningham Pier and the Geelong waterfront at dusk.1 / 4
