Minor Hotels to Introduce Avani Hotels & Resorts in Wollongong
Minor Hotels has announced plans to introduce its Avani Hotels & Resorts brand to Wollongong, expanding the brand’s presence in Australasia. Scheduled to open in 2027, Avani Wollongong Hotel will be Avani’s first new-build property in New South Wales.
Located at 22 Kenny Street, the hotel will be positioned close to Wollongong’s central transport hub, CBD, and city beach. The property will form part of a mixed-use development by Blaq Property Group, supporting broader urban growth linked to the city’s health precinct, CBD renewal, and the redevelopment of nearby Port Kembla. Minor Hotels has worked with Destination Wollongong to align the project with regional tourism plans and event strategies.
Jeremy Wilshire, CEO of Destination Wollongong, said the development reflects confidence in the city’s continued growth and contributes to the New South Wales Government’s target to expand hotel room supply by 2035.
The project received development approval from the City of Wollongong in July 2024. A subsequent application to increase the number of guest rooms from 107 to 140 is currently under assessment.
Avani Wollongong Hotel will feature contemporary rooms and suites ranging from 24 to 41 square metres, designed to support both business and leisure stays. The hotel will include social and communal spaces, a ground-floor restaurant serving locally influenced cuisine, a bar open to guests and local residents, and flexible event facilities suitable for meetings and small gatherings.
Commenting on the project, Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer, Minor Hotels Australasia, said the development represents Avani’s entry into New South Wales and responds to demand for new accommodation in Wollongong and the wider Illawarra region.
Avani Wollongong Hotel is expected to support the city’s evolving visitor economy while adding a new lifestyle-focused accommodation option to the local market.
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