Global hotel group vows tourism game-changer for Wollongong site
'High-tech comfort to be combined with coastal cool' for 2027 opening
Wollongong’s visitor economy has secured a significant vote of confidence with the confirmation that Minor Hotels will introduce its design-led Avani brand to the Illawarra.
Set to open in 2027, the new Avani Wollongong will be part of a major mixed-use development at 22 Kenny Street, situated minutes from the CBD and beaches.
The project is being led by local developer Blaq Property Group and arrives as a timely boost for the region’s revitalisation of Port Kembla and its growing health and business sectors.
The new-build hotel will feature 107 rooms and suites, designed to blend “high-tech comfort with Avani’s relaxed, easy-going aesthetic - perfect for travellers mixing business with beach time”.
Destination Wollongong general manager Jeremy Wilshire said the announcement is a pivotal moment for the sector.
“Having an internationally recognised brand commit its name and expertise here is a genuine vote of confidence in Wollongong’s trajectory,” Wilshire said.
Beyond accommodation, the property promises to support the region’s long-term tourism goals and major events through the inclusion of flexible event areas, a locally inspired restaurant, and a relaxed bar.
BLAQ Construction is thrilled to bring “a global name like Avani Hotels & Resorts to our own backyard is a point of pride for our team”, it posted to LinkedIn.
“Our project at 22 Kenny Street isn't just about glass and steel—it’s about what it does for the people here. The NSW Government has big goals for regional tourism, and we’re thrilled to be the ones helping put Wollongong at the centre of that map.”
An Avani first in NSW
For the hotel group it’s a milestone, too, said Minor Hotels Australasia Chief Operating Officer Craig Hooley
“Avani Wollongong will be our first Avani-branded property in New South Wales and will bring a breath of fresh air to this vibrant south coast city,” he said. “This development will fill a much-needed gap in new hotel growth in Wollongong and the Illawarra.
“The hotel is set to become part of the region’s next chapter, offering a world-class, contemporary stay for business and pleasure that delivers upscale positioning in a growing urban destination.”
Addressing the appalling’ accommodation crisis
The arrival of an international operator comes as Wollongong City Council moves to address a critical deficit in local bed stock. During a 2025 council meeting, the city adopted a new tourism accommodation strategy designed to incentivise construction through zoning changes and deferred developer contributions.
Lord Mayor Tania Brown was blunt in her assessment of the current landscape.
“I think just having 33 hotels and motels in this LGA out of 67 tourism accommodation [options] is appalling, and that’s why we have this strategy,” Cr Brown said.
Despite previous approvals for eight hotels totalling 701 rooms last year, only one project comprising 96 rooms has commence construction, the Illawarra Mercury reported, with other sites often being on-sold for residential use.
“That’s why we’ve gone out to the community because we have to find ways to incentivise this industry to come to town, and I think these planning controls and incentives will hopefully do that,” Cr Brown said. “We need to demonstrate that we’re open to business, come and have a discussion.”.
The tourism accommodation strategy was passed unanimously.
The Minor Hotels story
The operator behind the new Wollongong development, Minor Hotels, boasts a history spanning nearly five decades. The company’s origins date back to 1967 when William E. Heinecke, then an ambitious 17-year-old American living in Bangkok, founded “Minor”—a name chosen as a nod to his age. Starting with office cleaning and advertising, Heinecke expanded into hospitality in 1978 with the launch of the Royal Garden Resort in Pattaya, Thailand.
Heinecke’s vision transformed the company from a B2B operation into a guest-facing B2C powerhouse. Today, Minor Hotels manages a portfolio of over 550 properties across more than 55 countries. The group’s expansion into Australia was solidified in 2011 when it acquired a majority stake in Oaks Hotels & Resorts Ltd., one of Australia’s largest operators.
The company has continued to grow aggressively through strategic acquisitions, including a 94.1% stake in NH Hotel Group in 2018 and the full ownership of The Wolseley Hospitality Group in 2022.
The upcoming Avani Wollongong represents the latest chapter in this global expansion, bringing a brand known for its “design-led” and “relaxed” style to the Illawarra.
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