Canberra Airport partners up with TFE Hotels for new hotel

Canberra Airport has selected Toga Far East Hotels (TFE Hotels) to be its operating partner for a new hotel to be built adjacent to the airport’s new terminal.

The new hotel, scheduled for opening in late 2015, will operate under the 4.5 star Vibe Hotel brand.

TFE Hotels is a joint venture between Toga Group and Far East Orchard and it is a leading operator in Australasia with a network of over 65 accommodation assets across Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Among some of the hotel brands it operates are Medina Serviced Apartments and the Rendezvous Hotels.

The new $480 million terminal was opened in March 2013 and currently handles about three million passengers a year. But the terminal is built to process up to eight million domestic and international passengers a year.

Karen Wales and  Ross Beardsell of JLL's Hotels & Hospitality Group led the selection process on behalf of Canberra Airport.

"The expansion of Canberra Airport is expected to underpin accommodation demand over the medium term and could well be enhanced should the Airport be successful in attracting short haul international flights", said Ms Wales.

Construction of the Bates Smart-designed Vibe Hotel Canberra is due to start in May. The hotel, which will be just 150 metres away from the new terminal, will have a business travel focus and feature a 191-rooms.