Tamworth's Best Western Sanctuary Inn to become 90-room Holiday Inn

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced on 4 November that it has signed Holiday Inn Tamworth, converting the existing 60-room Best Western Sanctuary Inn in regional New South Wales and expanding it to 90 rooms. La Vie Hotels & Resorts will operate it. The same release covers a second signing, a new-build Holiday Inn & Suites in Rockhampton, Queensland, taking the pair to 190 rooms.

Why it matters

The Tamworth deal re-brands and expands an existing hotel instead of building new, which IHG says will revitalise regional accommodation infrastructure. The release describes Tamworth as one of regional NSW’s most important commercial and events centres. It is home to the Tamworth Country Music Festival and draws corporate, government and leisure travel, supported by its agriculture, logistics, health and education sectors. IHG did not name the hotel’s owner.

The numbers

The refurbishment covers guestrooms, reception and the restaurant, due for completion in 2027. A further 30 rooms are to be built by 2029, taking the hotel from 60 to 90 rooms. No investment figure was disclosed.

IHG’s Matt Tripolone, managing director for Australasia and the Pacific, said quality accommodation helps regional destinations realise their economic potential. He said the hotel will benefit from IHG’s global distribution channels, sales network and IHG One Rewards loyalty programme.

La Vie founder and chief executive Jerry Xu said the signings reflect La Vie’s continued growth across Australia, from Townsville to Tamworth, and its partnership with IHG. He said Holiday Inn gives travellers a name they already trust, and that La Vie will bring local know-how to make each hotel work for business, events and family guests.

Mr Tripolone described Holiday Inn as one of the world’s most recognised and trusted hotel brands, one that suits families on holiday, business travellers and guests attending regional events. IHG, listed in London and New York, says it has more than one million rooms across 7,100 hotels in over 100 countries, a development pipeline of a further 2,400 properties, and an IHG One Rewards loyalty programme with over 160 million members. IHG says Holiday Inn was established in 1952 and has more than 1,260 hotels globally.

What’s next

The refurbishment is the nearest milestone, due in 2027, followed by the 30-room extension by 2029. The release gave no approval status for the extension. For the Queensland half of the announcement, see our Rockhampton report.