(TAN): InterContinental Hotels Group is set to take over management of Fiji’s Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva this month and rebrand it as an InterContinental by 2022, the hospitality conglomerate said in a statement.
Already the most luxurious hotel in Suva, the property will be rebranded as InterContinental Grand Pacific Hotel Suva following a refurbishment. This will be IHG’s fourth hotel in Fiji, and the second for the brand, alongside InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Natadola Bay, which is also owned by the Fiji National Provident Fund.
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Built in 1914 and reopening on its hundredth anniversary in 2014 with contemporary colonial architecture, the Grand Pacific Hotel has a rich history and has a special place in the hearts of Fijians. The hotel’s deep association with Fiji is evident from the fact that an image of the hotel features on the Fijian 10-dollar note.
In June 1928, aviation history was made when Charles Kingsford Smith landed his “Southern Cross” Fokker monoplane on Albert Park, opposite the Grand Pacific Hotel, en route to Australia on his epic Trans Pacific flight from America. He stayed at the hotel.
The hotel has hosted many celebrities, politicians and royalty over its 100 years, including Queen Elizabeth II, who has visited the hotel three times. More recently, it welcomed Harry and Meghan, who visited in 2018.
Located on the main sea front on Suva’s Victoria Parade, the hotel is perfectly located to welcome Suva’s mix of leisure and business guests. It 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 & Pacific, said: “It is a great honour to take on the management of the Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH). We are committed to retaining the heritage and grandeur of, while adding all the world-famous elements of InterContinental’s True Hospitality experience. When the borders re-open, GPH will be ready to welcome back all those guests who know it so well, as well as those who are so familiar with IHG and the InterContinental brand…. We are committed to playing our part in rebuilding the tourism industry in Fiji as and when guests return to this stunning country.”
