Hospitality Business Magazine

Singapore-based private hotel owner and operator Naumi Hotels further expands its design-led hospitality label in NZ with the purchase of Comfort Hotel Wellington and Quality Hotel Wellington, situated on Wellington’s centrally-placed Cuba Street and Dunlop Street. The completion of the acquisition and handover of keys took place on 12 November 2018, and see an additional 177 rooms added to Naumi’s growing portfolio. The historic and award-winning CQ Hotels Wellington IS now fully operational again. This follows an elective 7-month, $3million re-strengthening project, which retained the heritage aspects of the building

Dean Humphries, National Director of Hotels for Colliers International who brokered this transaction on behalf of both parties said, “The hotel was identified as a perfect fit for Naumi Hotels in its expansion plans for New Zealand. Not only is the property is situated in what is arguably the most vibrant location in Wellington, the Hotel itself lends itself as a prime repositioning opportunity given its unique character, design and artistic flair. On completion of its rebranding, Naumi Wellington will certainly become the ‘go to’ accommodation provider for millennials, the entertainment and movie industry and young corporates”.

Comfort Hotel Wellington and Quality Hotel Wellington will continue operations under the names of C Hotel and Q Hotel respectively. Renovations for the 115-room C Hotel will commence in Q2 2019, with an expected completion in Q4 2019, and rebranded as Naumi Heritage Wellington. Q Hotel will finish renovations by Q4 2019, and rebranded as Naumi Suites Wellington with 62 suites.

Located in the city centre, and 15 minutes from the Wellington International Airport, both hotels offers a perfect stylish stopover for leisure and business travellers. Naumi Heritage Wellington is located within an iconic heritage building, complete with a detailed facade dating back to 1916, while Naumi Suites Wellington offers all suite rooms on the same bustling street. Award-winning design firm Material Creative, has been appointed to be the creative lead for the new hotels. Their first hotel project was designing Naumi’s first hotel in New Zealand, Naumi Hotel Auckland Airport – which won prestigious design awards such as the Interior Awards and Red Awards 2018, and also mentioned in Forbes as the one of the best airport hotels in the world. The two new hotels in Wellington will be themed romantic Edwardian age meets literary bohemian, a space that embraces diversity and steadfastly refuses to be boring.

Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, CEO of Naumi Hotels (Australia and New Zealand) said, “The acquisition is in line with our strategy to garner a strong foothold in the New Zealand market. Situated at an excellent location, the hotels cater to travellers within and around Wellington. With the completion of the new interiors, we believe these properties will fit well within our portfolio.”

Naumi Hotels’ Regional General Manager, Chris McIntosh, will oversee the operations of three Naumi properties in Australasia, including the two new Wellington hotels and Naumi Hotel Auckland Airport.

Comfort Hotel Wellington