Wyndham Hotels & Resorts recently announced La Quinta by Wyndham’s inaugural launch into the South East Asia and Pacific Rim (SEAPR) region with the signing of two new hotels in New Zealand.
La Quinta by Wyndham, to be known as LQ by Wyndham in the SEAPR region, is a leading upper-midscale brand with over 925 destinations in the Americas and Europe, offering contemporary design, thoughtful amenities and friendly service. Wyndham acquired La Quinta’s hotel franchise and management businesses in 2018, further building upon the company’s diverse family of hotel brands and offerings around the world.
The announcement comes off the back of the brand’s recent European debut in Istanbul – the first La Quinta to open outside the Americas – and underscores Wyndham’s commitment to accelerate the growth of the brand’s footprint internationally. In 2019 Wyndham announced plans to debut the brand in the Caribbean market by opening eight hotels across the Dominican Republic within five years, and it grew La Quinta’s footprint in Mexico and Chile in 2018.
The first hotels set to fly the brand’s flag in New Zealand will be located in Auckland and Queenstown under a franchise agreement with Safari Group, Wyndham’s long-standing partner in the region.
“We are delighted to deepen our relationship the Safari Group and to introduce another sought-after and growing brand to New Zealand, and the SEAPR region. Despite the current situation, we are confident of the tourism momentum in New Zealand and that international travellers will return to seek out the country’s natural attractions and stunning scenery. As visitors return to discover this beautiful country, Wyndham will be there to cater for their needs with a collection of exceptional hotels and resorts in key locations nationwide,” said Joon Aun Ooi, President and Managing Director, SEAPR, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
“With hundreds of properties already operating in the Americas and a global expansion strategy also underway, La Quinta by Wyndham is a proven favourite among guests and hotel developers alike. I am confident that our customers in New Zealand will love the brand’s blend of upper-midscale comfort and convenience. We look forward to introducing this concept to domestic and international travellers in the country, as part of our multi-brand expansion in SEAPR,” added Andy Flaig, Head of Development, SEAPR, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
“Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is a proven partner with whom we have already developed many successful hotels under the notable Ramada by Wyndham and Wyndham Garden brands. We are very proud and privileged to expand this relationship and launch the LQ by Wyndham brand in New Zealand which is set to offer a range of high-quality accommodation options to travellers,” commented Rob Neil, director, Safari Group.
Nestled next to the scenic Kawarau River, not far from Queenstown Airport, the 87-key LQ by Wyndham Remarkables Park, set to open its doors in late 2020, will be a great base for visitors who want to immerse themselves in nature. As New Zealand’s adventure tourism capital, Queenstown is the perfect place to enjoy adrenalin-fuelled activities such as white-water rafting and bungee jumping from the Kawarau Bridge – the site of the world’s first commercial bungee jump.
The 246-key LQ by Wyndham Greenlane Auckland, located on the Great South Road in the city’s Ellerslie district, will be conveniently located between Auckland Airport and Auckland CBD, appealing to both leisure and corporate travellers alike. Guests will be a short drive from leading attractions such as Ellerslie Racecourse, Mt Smart Stadium, and a range of high end shopping precincts. This hotel is scheduled to welcome guests in mid-2022.
Both LQ by Wyndham Remarkables Park and LQ by Wyndham Greenlane Auckland will feature a mix of accommodation for short and extended stays, and facilities including fitness centres and “grab & go” cafés.
In total, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts currently offers 13 hotels and resorts across New Zealand under three of its distinct brands – Wyndham Garden®, Ramada® by Wyndham, and Days Inn® by Wyndham – in sought-after destinations like Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington, Christchurch, Albany, Rotorua, Taipa, Hamilton, and Wanaka. All hotels participate in Wyndham Rewards®, the world’s most generous hotel rewards program with thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide.