A joint venture was signed today between Accor, Tainui Group Holdings and Auckland International Airport (AIAL), to develop and operate a 4-star plus 260 room Novotel hotel at Auckland Airport. The hotel is scheduled to be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Tainui will act as lead developer and investor with a majority interest in the joint venture and AIAL will hold a minority interest. The hotel will be developed on a long term ground lease granted by AIAL and will be managed by Accor under its renowned Novotel brand. The total forecast completed cost is NZ $65million including hotel construction estimated at approximately $45million. The deal remains conditional on project finance and construction tender.

Novotel Auckland Airport will be designed by Warren & Mahoney Architects. The hotel will feature extensive conference and function facilities, a restaurant and bar, and leisure facilities. The hotel will be located within a short walking distance of both the international and domestic terminals.

Accor’s New Zealand network already comprises 27 hotels, including five in Auckland.

Accor has a lot of experience operating airport hotels. The group operates hotels at a large number of key airports including London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle, Berlin’s Tegel, and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi. In Australia, Accor has airport hotels in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and a new Novotel Brisbane Airport.

Auckland Airport general manager property Peter Alexander said, “There has been a clear demand from the tourism industry and travellers for a hotel in the airport terminal precinct for some time. We are exceptionally pleased to bring together such a strong group of partners, each bringing a strong track-record, skills and experience. The outcome will be a great hotel and will deliver yet another string to the bow of Auckland Airport, one of the 10 best airports in the world.”