IHG to refurbish and rebrand iconic Fijian hotel

IHG to refurbish and rebrand iconic Fijian hotel

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed an agreement to take over management of one of the most famous hotels in the Pacific.

With the takeover becoming official this month, Fiji’s Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH) in Suva will undergo a refurbishment and be rebranded as InterContinental Grand Pacific Hotel Suva by 2022.

It will be IHG’s third 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.

Built in 1914 and reopening on its hundredth anniversary in 2014 with contemporary colonial architecture, the GPH has an incredibly rich history and has a special place in the hearts of Fijians, to the extent that an image of the hotel features on the Fijian ten-dollar note.

In June 1928, aviation history was made when Charles Kingsford Smith landed his ‘Southern Cross’ Fokker monoplane on Albert Park, opposite the GPH, en route to Australia on his epic Trans Pacific flight from America, before staying at the hotel.

It has also played host to countless celebrities, politicians and royalty over its 100 years, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has visited the hotel three times and even gave a speech at a ball in 1953 from the hotel’s balcony as part of her first tour of the Empire as Queen. More recently, it welcomed Harry and Meghan, who visited in 2018.

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

 

Image source: IHG

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

“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.”

Viliame Vodonaivalu, chief investment officer at the FNPF, said: “The Grand Pacific Hotel is an iconic hotel and will be 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 in Fiji.

“We have a fantastic partnership with IHG, and we recognise the need for a partner like IHG with its global footprint, powerful systems and loyal customer base that will help attract guests back to Fiji.”


Featured image source: IHG

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]