InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed an agreement with Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) to take over management of the Grand Pacific Hotel, the leading hotel in Suva, from July 2020 and rebrand it as an InterContinental by 2022, following a refurbishment.

Third hotel in Fiji

It will be IHG’s third hotel in Fiji alongside Holiday Inn Suva and InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Natadola Bay, both of which are also owned by FNPF.

Having one operator for both hotels in Suva allows IHG to capitalise on its many years of experience running a Holiday Inn, and will provide the ability to create efficiencies and cost savings by leveraging shared services between the properties.

InterContinental is the world’s first – and largest – international luxury travel hotel brand, with 213 hotels open worldwide.

That global experience, along the IHG True Hospitality culture, will bring a new era of service to this great hotel.

Loyalty members

Additionally, the IHG Rewards Club and InterContinental Ambassador program will open the doors to more than 100 million IHG loyalty members worldwide, who will benefit from the extensive privileges on offer.

Located on the main sea front on Suva’s Victoria Parade, the hotel offers all-day and specialty restaurants and bars and a club lounge, as well as a 600sqm ballroom, meetings rooms, business centre, gym, swimming pool and spa.

Abhijay Sandilya, IHG’s vice president, development – Australasia, Japan and Pacific, said: “It is a great honour to take on the management of the Grand Pacific Hotel.

“When Fiji’s borders re-open, we will be ready to welcome back all those guests who know this iconic hotel so well, as well as those who are so familiar with IHG and the InterContinental brand.

“We truly value our long-standing relationship with Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) and are committed to playing our part in rebuilding the tourism industry in Fiji together when guests return.”

Refurbishment

Viliame Vodonaivalu, Chief Investment Officer at FNPF, said GPH was important to Fiji’s recovery as a tourist destination when the borders reopen.

“With a lower traveller footprint due to the global crisis, we are taking the opportunity to bring forward the refurbishment of this hotel, bringing it to life in a new way ready for the next era of tourism.”

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj