Hilton has made its debut in another sign of expansion in the Australasia region, opening its first flagship-branded Hilton in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby.
The 212-room hotel breaks down to 164 guest rooms off 33 square metres each; 46 Executive Suites measuring in at 46.5sqm each and two palatial Chairman Suites of 117sqm. Each room offers floor-to-ceiling windows.
Built over two stages, the $400 million development is in conjunction with Star Mountain Plaza – a PNG government controlled entity which will also manage the new Hilton’s adjoining convention centre. The Kutubu Convention Centre consists of an 850 square metre banquet hall and six smaller rooms which can be adjoined to suit parties of up to 800 people.
The new Hilton is located around 10 minutes from Port Moresby Airport and is close to attractions such as the Harbourside shopping precinct, Rouna Falls, the National Orchid Garden and the Port Moresby Golf Club and Nature Park.
Guest and public facilities include five restaurants. In the lobby, guests will find the ‘Copper’ coffee shop, which also offers deli-style snacks and light meals. The daily breakfast buffet will be available at ‘Feast’, the hotel’s all-day dining option. Authentic PNG fare will be on offer at ‘Mumu’ which utilises its traditional earthenware oven. Over in the Convention Centre foyer will be ‘Halo’ which will serve quick bites such as sandwiches and wraps for busy conference attendees. Finally, on the hotel’s top floor, guests will find the ‘Summit’ whisky bar, which also serves cocktails, beers, wine and spirits with views over the PNG capital and mountains.
Additional facilities include an outdoor swimming pool with whirlpool and fitness centre. Executive guests also have use of the Executive Lounge which serves breakfast, all-day snacks, drinks and canapes.
Hilton Australasia VP Operations Heidi Kunkel said the brand’s first foray into PNG was an extremely significant milestone.
“In addition to delivering a new standard of accommodation, F&B offering and conferencing facilities in Papua New Guinea, we are also providing over 200 Papua New Guineans with employment opportunities across Hilton Port Moresby and Kutubu Convention Centre.
“We are extremely proud to have this kind of positive impact on the local community.”
Completion also comes perfectly in time for next month’s APEC Summit, when world leaders and thousands of supporting staff and delegates from many of the world’s most powerful countries will descend on PNG.
The Hilton and Convention Centre opening is part of Phase 1 of the Star Mountain Plaza development, which will eventually include 160 luxury apartments flagged as Hilton Residences, a performing arts centre, retail offerings, commercial offices and a second 200-room four-star hotel aimed at business travellers.