Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson was joined by CEO and Deputy Chair of Pro-invest Group, Jan Smits and councillor Peter Cox at a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to celebrate the official opening of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast.

As Australia’s first ever Holiday Inn Express & Suites branded property, the official opening saw business leaders and industry representatives gather onsite for the ribbon-cutting.

A joint partnership between Pro-invest Hotels and IHG Hotels & Resorts, the new-build Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel, which for the first time combines a suite style offering amongst its regular hotel rooms, opened its doors for the first time in July.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said he was pleased to witness the official opening of property.

“This marks another important milestone for the region’s emerging central business district and our Sunshine Coast,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“This hotel is an important part of the growing Maroochydore City Centre precinct and its completion comes at a time when we are enjoying the return of domestic and international travellers after a very challenging few years.

“The Holiday Inn Express and Suites will continue to provide a boost to our economy as our region remains firmly in the spotlight as a prime location for leisure travellers and for businesses to establish, relocate or expand.”

According to Jan Smits, CEO and Deputy Chair of Pro Invest Group, the launch of Australia’s very first Holiday Inn Express & Suites is a positive sign for the local tourism industry.

“With tourism volumes increasing weekly, we’re thrilled to have officially opened our doors in one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations. This is the first ‘Suite’ product for the Holiday Inn Express brand and we’re delighted to be delivering this offering for our guests.

“From the outset we knew that the unique combination of contemporary design, flexible functionality and amenity, and value for money that is the hallmark of the Holiday Inn Express brand would be attractive in this market,” Mr Smits said.

Thoughtfully designed to offer a convenient and comfortable stay, each of the 181 guest rooms and suites feature unique touches such as speedy WiFi, study nooks, premium bedding and the brand’s signature ‘Express Recharge’ concept which includes a pillow menu, black-out blinds and a walk-in power shower.

In addition, for the first time for the Holiday Inn Express brand in Australia, each of the hotel’s 41 one bedroom suites have been designed to offer maximum comfort and functionality and include full-services facilities including a kitchenette, small living area with sofa bed and pod coffee machines for enjoying a freshly brewed coffee from the comfort of your suite.

The hotel is targeting a high NABERS Energy and NABERS Water rating for increased efficiency, and energy efficient equipment and systems are featured across hotel, with low-flow water appliances installed in all guestrooms.

The hotel will also participate in IHG’s A Greener Stay initiative, allowing guests to participate in reducing their environmental footprint by opting out of housekeeping services should they stay 2 nights or more. This all works together in helping save energy and water use, as well as waste output.