The AUD$120 million new-build Élan Soho Suites in Darwin is on target a July 2014 opening.
Located in the heart of the CBD, the property will offer a combined total of 301 hotel rooms, stylish one and two bedroom apartments and penthouse suites.
Élan Soho Suites is also the Northern Territory’s newest ‘home-grown’ hotel chain and will be locally-owned and operated.
“Élan Soho Suites is bringing many firsts to the Northern Territory – including Darwin’s first Korean Barbeque Restaurant and Darwin’s first hotel to offer mobile check-ins / check-outs via guest’s smart phones,” said Élan Hotels General Manager, Steve Frichot.
“Élan is a French word meaning ‘momentum’ with ‘style’ and we believe our modern hotel and restaurant will symbolise the modern pace of life, which resonates with our young population.”
“Our new Élan Hotels brand shows the confidence and strength we have in the community and for the growth in the Northern Territory. We are focused on positive outcomes for the Northern Territory and have dedicated at least twenty-five per cent of the hotel’s inventory to tourism, leisure and conferencing markets.”
One floor of the property will be dedicated to conferencing and functions. The entire area can be used as one large space or broken up into five boardroom-style venues. All venues are bathed in natural light as well as state-of-the-art equipment and WiFi will be accessible throughout the property. The largest venue will have capacity for 250 guests in a banquet-style setting, 400 delegates theatre-style and more than 380 for cocktails.
Élan Soho Suites will feature Darwin’s first Korean BBQ restaurant to be known as “Seoul Food”. This is the first time in Australia that an authentic Korean BBQ restaurant has been integrated into a hotel development. With the kitchen to be headed up by, Chung Jae Lee, a multi award-winning chef and published author, with menus offering a mix of modern Korean and Australian cuisine, the restaurant will be a most welcome addition to Darwin’s restaurant scene.
Other facilities at the hotel will include a 20 metre lap pool, a fully-equipped air-conditioned gym, same-day laundry services as well as 24 hour reception and room service. For the added convenience of business travellers, it will be possible to enjoy remote check-in by smart phone, saving time on arrival at the hotel.
The new hotel will be just a short stroll to Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct, as well as the dining, entertainment and night-life hub.