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COVER STORY: RENDEZVOUS HOTELS’ QUIET RENAISSANCE
Bed, breakfast and beyond: Rendezvous Hotels’ quiet renaissance
Rendezvous Hotels are one-of-a-kind properties, offering classic hospitality and service in some of the most sought-after conferencing destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Rendezvous Hotels has been undergoing a quiet renaissance in recent times with a rolling refurbishment pipeline, brand refresh and strategic partnership with New Zealand’s leading accommodation provider, Heritage Hotels, repositioning the chain for continued success.
“What I love about Rendezvous is each hotel has its own personality,” says TFE Hotels’ global sales officer, Shahnaz Bakhshay.
“Whether you’re enjoying classic Edwardian style in Melbourne, the coastal charm of Rendezvous Perth Scarborough, or gazing at the snowy peaks of The Remarkables from your balcony in Queenstown, there’s always a sense of familiarity when you arrive.”
Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown and Rendezvous Heritage Auckland – the latest hotels to join TFE’s growing global portfolio – mark the brand’s eagerly anticipated re-entry into New Zealand.
“Auckland is a key target market for TFE Hotels, with our Adina and Travelodge brands already well established,” says Bakhshay. “The addition of Rendezvous Heritage Auckland, which is a stone’s throw from New Zealand International Convention Centre and major CBD attractions, leaves TFE well placed to capitalise on the city’s already stellar reputation as a business and events destination.”
The 104-room heritage-style Rendezvous is set within one of Auckland’s most recognisable historic buildings – the iconic former Farmers Department Store – and is earmarked for a refurbishment in the coming years.
I’m excited to see what the future holds for Auckland’s Grand Dame.
“What I love about this hotel is the height of the ceilings, the generosity of the rooms, the original features, and the versatility of the meeting spaces,” says Bakhshay. “Knowing what we’ve been able to achieve with renovations at Rendezvous Melbourne, Hotel Kurrajong in Canberra and The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins, in Melbourne, I’m excited to see what the future holds for Auckland’s Grand Dame.”
Located 1500km away at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island, the alpine-style Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown provides
TFE Hotels with a strong MICE and leisure offering in the nation’s adventure capital.
“It’s our alpine Rendezvous,” says Bakhshay of the 175-room hotel and custom-built conference centre, which boasts uninterrupted 180-degree views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables. “It is quite unlike anything we have in our global portfolio.”
As the appetite for conferences and incentives in Queenstown grows, Bakhshay says TFE Hotels will be competitive as it taps into the strong business conferencing, incentives and weddings market.
“From the moment our clients and guests arrive, they are captivated by that incredible view of Lake Wakatipu and Walter and Cecil Peaks from the hotel and conferencing space,” she says. “But beyond the location, the hotel’s lodge-style accommodation invites social interaction, and Queenstown’s adventure offerings build a shared sense of camaraderie from the start, making it the perfect hotel for incentive groups.”
Across the Tasman, and worlds away from the snow fields, TFE’s Rendezvous hotels in Western Australia and Melbourne have benefitted from a multi-million-dollar rolling refurbishment program in recent years that has elevated the hotels and their MICE offerings.
Perth’s first and only beachside hotel high-rise, Rendezvous Perth Scarborough, is in the midst of a summer glow-up thanks to a multi-million-dollar investment by owners, Far East Orchard. The two-year makeover will see 330 hotel rooms refreshed, upgrades to the hotel’s front entrance and conferencing space, and additional works planned for the hotel’s swimming pool and public areas. A new spa offering, with ice baths and sauna, opened in November 2024.
Rendezvous Scarborough is the largest beachside conference and events venue in Western Australia.
Originally called Observation City, the hotel was built for late tycoon Alan Bond in 1986, with wife Eileen styling interiors at the time. Bond had anticipated demand for accommodation during the 1987 America’s Cup challenge in Fremantle and wanted a view to see the yachts.
Bond’s design choices and desire for that all-important view left a legacy of spectacular events spaces for leisure and MICE clients, including the Mentelle Deck, which is used for the hotel’s popular open-air Film Club in summer.
The hotel is the largest beachside conference and events venue in Western Australia, and is the largest meetings facility across all TFE Hotels, with 24 meetings and events spaces and a strong commitment to sustainable MICE practices.
Coupled with the $100 million revitalisation of the nearby Scarborough precinct, it makes Rendezvous Scarborough a perfect choice for sporting and recreational groups, as well as traditional MICE clients.
In Victoria, the superbly located Rendezvous Melbourne is enjoying the fruits of a multi-milliondollar refurbishment that has seen guest rooms, the dining room, bar, lobby and conference facilities go under the designer’s knife.
The 340-room hotel was also the first to undergo a staged brand refresh aimed at inspiring guests to connect with the city, explore the culture and create moments to cherish.
Constructed in 1913, the original building – respectfully celebrated in the refurbishment – started life as The Commercial Traveller’s Association Building and was designed by architect Harry Tompkins. To this day, it is one of the finest and most distinct expressions of the Edwardian Baroque style in Melbourne, and the Grand Vestibule has witnessed many beaming brides twirling beneath it.
Reimagining this gorgeous hotel was a labour of love, with designers combining an eclectic mix of old-world charm and cutting-edge design. Eleven meeting rooms – offering more than 1100 square metres of space – cater for up to 300 guests.
“What’s exciting is Rendezvous Melbourne continues an important legacy as a meeting place and piece of living history, within walking distance of everything people come to see and experience in this remarkable city,” says Bakhshay.
Individual personalities aside, it’s clear the needs of modern PCOs are well catered for at Rendezvous, with hotel teams across the Asia-Pacific region committed to providing high-quality amenities, exploring sustainable conferencing options, and seeking the best partners to deliver bespoke experiences.
Beyond bed, breakfast and the business of conferencing, Rendezvous Hotels combine exceptional hospitality with the unique appeal of their surroundings, making them the ideal choice for the MICE industry.
TFE Hotels’ “Events with Benefits” program offers a host of rewards, including accommodation, delegate packages and the chance to win credit towards your next event. tfehotels.com/eventswithbenefits Also visit rendezvoushotels.com
