The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts today announced it will debut the brand's first-ever hotel in Tasmania in late 2018, following a full-scale renovation. Owned by Trawalla Group Parliament Square Hotel Operator Pty Ltd., The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart will reside in repurposed heritage buildings in Parliament Square, a new design-led, urban development that is set to revitalize the neighborhood, uniting the city's unique past with its contemporary culture.

"Australia is an extremely desirable destination for The Luxury Collection, and The Tasman is sure to become the place for global explorers to stay while visiting Tasmania," said Mitzi Gaskins, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and JW Marriott. "Bringing The Luxury Collection to Australia marks a significant milestone for the brand, further cementing our leadership position in global hospitality, while providing our guests a captivating destination to experience what is truly indigenous to Tasmania."

Upon opening, The Tasman will boast 128 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites with carefully restored features, including original windows, floor boards and fireplaces. The hotel's corridors will showcase exclusive pieces from local artists, while an upscale restaurant, lobby lounge, and whiskey bar will offer a variety of dining experiences that reflect the spirit of the destination.

The original features of the heritage buildings will be revived for today's luxury traveler by Sydney-based hospitality interior design firm JPDC. The Georgian and Art Deco architectural style will be maintained throughout, embodying The Luxury Collection's indigenous, rare, and experiential standards of luxury. The Tasman's relaxed, harbor-side location is highlighted throughout, with paired back interiors in local, natural materials, such as recycled timber from the original buildings.

The debut of this hotel marks yet another milestone for Marriott International as the group forges ahead with its goal of meeting the growing demand for experiential luxury travel. The company now boasts a portfolio of 26 hotels across eight brands in Australia and the Pacific region, with more than 20 additional signed hotels in the pipeline. The Tasman will further strengthen the company's luxury pipeline, which aims to deliver authentic travel experiences and exceptional service. Marriott International will also continue to build upon its success with construction on The Ritz-Carlton Perth, The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, and the highly anticipated W Brisbane.

"Luxury travel in Australia has grown remarkably in the last few years, and there is still growing demand for new hotel product, specifically in Tasmania," said Sean Hunt, Area Vice President, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific at Marriott International. "We're confident this new Luxury Collection property will have a significant impression on Australia's luxury hospitality market and we're excited to be working with Trawalla Group Parliament Square Hotel Operator Pty Ltd to bring this distinct new project to life."

This hotel will take residency in an assortment of heritage buildings, including the Georgian-style
St. Mary's Hospital originally constructed in 1847. Prominently positioned in Parliament Square, The Tasman will be located directly behind Hobart's historic Parliament House, near local institutions including Salamanca Market and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Upon its completion in 2018, Parliament Square will include a seamless integration of generous outdoor space, distinct heritage buildings and meticulously designed contemporary architecture, providing government office, retail and food and beverage space. 

"It has always been our intention to partner with a brand that appreciates and embraces Tasmania's natural beauty, history and heritage, which is why we chose to work with Marriott International to bring The Luxury Collection to Tasmania as part of this exciting new development," said Alan Schwartz, Managing Director, Trawalla Group Parliament Square Hotel Operator Pty Ltd. "We also share the brand's passion for design, indigenous experiences and refined luxury, and are committed to working with the best talent and experts in the industry to bring this project to its full potential."

Note on forward-looking statements: This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, including expected future hotel openings and locations and statements about the benefits of the transaction, including expected synergies and enhanced revenue opportunities for the combined company, that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the "Risks Related to the Starwood Combination" and other risk factors that we identify in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this communication. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this communication, and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.