IHG’s luxury InterContinental brand is coming to Sorrento near Melbourne as part of the redevelopment of the storied Hotel Continental property.

The signing of a management agreement with the consortium behind Hotel Continental’s transformation paves the way for InterContinental to make its mark in the Australian state of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula area.

A new era for the heritage property

Mornington Peninsula’s legendary Hotel Continental, known as ‘Conti’ by locals, is set to embark on a new era as it prepares to launch as InterContinental Sorrento in November 2021. The property aims to once again become a beacon of glamour in the coastal area.

This reopening will follow on from a sensitive restoration of the 145-year-old heritage-listed limestone building by the Trenerry Consortium owned by Victor Smorgon Group, the Kanat Group and Trenerry Property.

The hotel will house 106 spacious guestrooms, many with water views, along with six dining and bar outlets including a signature restaurant featuring a soon-to-be-revealed high-profile chef partnership. Guests will also be able to make use of an outdoor pool, luxury bathhouse, gym and event space, which includes the original grand ballroom.

“We could not be more delighted to be adding this very special hotel to our InterContinental portfolio and we’re so pleased to be embarking on the restoration process with this great consortium of partners,” said Abhijay Sandilya, IHG’s vice president of development in Australasia, Japan and Pacific.

“InterContinental hotels around the world all have a fascinating, alluring story to tell and InterContinental Sorrento with its rich 145-year history is no exception; it perfectly complements our portfolio. We have been looking to grow outside of central Melbourne for some time, and to be expanding into regional Victoria with a property of this calibre and in such a prime tourism location is incredibly exciting.”

Drawing luxury travellers to Sorrento

The historic hotel was first opened in 1875 by actor, philanthropist and businessman George Coppin who was considered the ‘Father of the Theatre’ in Victoria; Coppin wanted to create a tourism heart for Mornington Peninsula, just a few hours from Melbourne. Indeed, the opening of InterContinental Sorrento later this year promises to herald the return of the area’s past beachside glitz.

Peter Edwards from Victor Smorgon Group said: “After working closely with our consultant team, we couldn’t be more pleased to have IHG Hotels & Resorts on board. We are confident that bringing the world’s largest luxury hotel brand to a destination like Sorrento will attract attention from both domestic and international travellers to the region, and we are excited to see the Hotel Continental enter an exciting new era.

“Collectively we have a passion and vision for the hotel to be completely revitalised and returned to its former glory as one of the country’s most-loved hotels and we’re excited to be embarking on this project with the team at IHG.”

This new property will be InterContinental’s tenth hotel in Australasia, joining InterContinental Resort Hayman Island, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, InterContinental Sydney, InterContinental Perth, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove, InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, InterContinental Adelaide, InterContinental Wellington and InterContinental Fiji.