5 New Australian Stays to Have On Your Radar for 2025

Australians have been spoilt for choice when it comes to new hotels opening their doors in 2025 – and there’s still more to come. From sleek retreats flanking the landmark Melbourne Walk development to a seaside escape on the NSW Central Coast with a swim-up pool bar, we’ve rounded up five of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ most exciting new openings to check into during your next getaway. The best part? Book with Qantas Hotels to earn and use Qantas Points with every booking.

Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins at The Melbourne Walk

Go for… the ultimate urban getaway

Australia’s first dual-branded IHG Hotels & Resorts development is a tale of two escapes, with the sophisticated, design-led Hotel Indigo and the playful Holiday Inn Bourke Street Mall – which both opened their doors in September – highlights of the city-defining Melbourne Walk redevelopment. A bold arrival to the Victorian capital’s buzzy CBD, the 179-room Hotel Indigo is an ode to the city’s bohemian heritage, from the dramatic spiral staircase inspired by Sidney Myer’s original drapery store to the cheeky monkey motifs, a nod to the menagerie in Cole’s Book Arcade, which once called this eclectic precinct home. All of the rooms and suites – some include a private balcony – offer a hat-tip to local character, with a neighbourhood-inspired palette of terrazzo and Mondrian-blue accents and a mini-bar stocked with tipples from local Little Lon Gin Distillery and a pod coffee machine.

The property’s positioning encourages guests to follow their curiosity through some of Melbourne’s most beloved icons: graffiti-filled Union Lane leads the way to the glossy boutiques of Bourke Street Mall and the National Gallery of Victoria is a short tram ride away. While the city’s world-class restaurants are also within easy reach, Fern Bar & Dining on the hotel’s second floor plates up crowd-pleasers including sesame prawn toast and dry-aged Aylesbury duck.

Book now with Qantas Hotels.

Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall at The Melbourne Walk

Go for… a family-friendly escape

The other half of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ first dual-branded development, Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall is bright, playful and made for a city escape. The new property combines convenience – including all-day dining and a well-equipped fitness centre that’s open 12am to 11.45pm daily – with a Melbourne Walk location that’s unmatched for exploring the CBD. Head to the Greenery on the second floor for light snacks including the Laneways Board, piled high with charcuterie and farmhouse cheeses, or heartier fare such as slow-braised beef cheeks matched with truffle honey carrots and mashed potatoes – children aged under 12 stay and eat for free. The 273 rooms and suites feature bright green accents paired with warm timber tones and offer views of the area’s art-filled laneways, Bourke Street Mall or the property’s lush internal courtyard. For family trips, the standard rooms can accommodate two double beds and the Chromecast-equipped TV will help keep your little ones entertained between excursions.

Book now with Qantas Hotels.

voco Gosford 

Go for… a waterfront adventure 

The first new hotel to open on the Central Coast in 15 years, voco Gosford is well worth the wait. With a swim-up pool bar, six onsite eateries and a location that’s footsteps from the water, the IHG Hotels & Resorts property presents a solid case for making the Central Coast – just 90 minutes north of Sydney – your next escape. Tranquility is the name of the game here, with the hotel’s 130 rooms reflecting its seaside location through pops of aqua and eucalyptus set against crisp white linens and curved furnishings, while the windows offer mountain or water views. Sip on craft cocktails at golden hour and dine on fresh sushi at the Japanese-inspired rooftop bar – perched on the 28th floor – before indulging in elevated pub fare at the ground-floor Modern Australian Pub. The property’s restaurants are overseen by celebrated chef Dany Karam, the former executive chef of Sydney’s award-winning Black Bar & Grill. When you’re ready to explore the coast, Somersby Falls, Avoca Beach and Bouddi National Park can all be reached via a 15-25 minute drive. 

Due to open: November 2025

Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton 

Go for… a taste of Melbourne’s “Little Italy” 

North of the city centre in Carlton, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ new urban destination combines the European charm of Little Italy with a quintessentially Melbourne eye for design. Fresh from a multi-million-dollar transformation, the 107-room Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton is ideally placed to embrace the Victorian capital’s Italian-influenced cafe culture. As warm and vitalising as the first espresso of the day, the renovated rooms are cosy havens of walnut furnishings and crisp whites, complete with natural amenities from New Zealand skincare brand Antipodes. Inspired by the area’s Italian roots, the hotel’s in-house restaurant transforms seasonal produce into Italian classics – or you can wander a short distance for farm-to-table Piedmontese cuisine at the award-winning Scopri, or fresh handmade pastries at the original outpost of Brunetti Classico. Gourmet Italian haunts aside, the hotel neighbours Lincoln Square Park and is within walking distance of the Melbourne Innovation District, where you’ll find the State Library of Victoria, Carlton Gardens and the Melbourne Museum.

Due to open: Late 2025

Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina 

Go for… a modern coastal retreat 

Shellharbour, a 90-minute drive south of Sydney, is in the midst of a major glow-up, and IHG Hotels & Resorts is riding the crest of the wave. The new Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina hotel will be a star feature of this NSW South Coast city, which is set to be transformed by a $1.5 billion development spanning the creation of a man-made in-shore harbour and 270-berth marina. With a neutral palette of soft cream textiles and blonde timber furnishings, the property will offer 181 light-filled rooms and suites – each with private balconies, pillow menus and waterfront views. Practice your swing at the nearby 18-hole Links Shell Cove golf course – just a five-minute drive away – or seek out a cabana by the heated outdoor pool. When hunger strikes, head to the hotel’s restaurant, Coastal Med, to savour locally sourced seafood while watching boats sail by. 

Due to open: Late 2025