W Melbourne has gone from strength to strength under the direction of General Manager at W Melbourne & Multi Property Vice President, Luxury Hotels Australia, Krister Svensson. With a 20% year on year growth in conferences and events in 2024, which is projected to grow to 30% year on year growth in 2025, W Melbourne continues to build strength in its customer base after having opened its doors in 2021.
Since taking on the role a year ago, Krister has led W Melbourne, which is currently leading the market share YTD against its comp set, to out-perform its yearly targets. RevPAR growth YTD for the hotel currently sits at 10.9%, eclipsing their comp-set average of 2.5%, and an occupancy growth of a significant 10.4% in comparison to the comp set average of 2.1%.
Krister Svensson, General Manager at W Melbourne & Multi Property Vice President, Luxury Hotels Australia, says, “When I took on the role of General Manager I wanted to lead W Melbourne to be a benchmark to other hotels, and I am proud to say this has been the case. 2024 has been a year of growth and it is a testament to our wonderful team’s hard work that we continue to provide the best guest experience in Melbourne that taps into the culture and energy that makes the city truly unique.”
The team, led by Krister, prides themselves on providing guests a deep connection with Melbourne that begins with a culture that is embedded in every element of the hotel. A seasoned hotelier, Krister has brought extensive experience in luxury hotel management to the role. With more than thirty years’ experience in the hospitality industry across the Middle East, Pacific and Asia, his career with Marriott International started in 2002 and has included roles across the world.
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott’s award-winning travel program and extraordinary portfolio of over 30 brands, will once again be an official partner of the Australian Open and the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in 2025. Ahead of these iconic Melbourne events, Marriott’s portfolio of ten Melbourne hotels, including W Melbourne, have already seen increased bookings for travellers looking to immerse themselves in the sporting capital of Australia.
W Melbourne, the first hotel from the Marriott Luxury Group portfolio in Melbourne, opened in 2021 as the city continued to struggle with the Covid pandemic, moving in and out of lockdowns. Despite initial obstacles, the hotel established itself as a cultural leader and continues to be at the forefront of trends heading into its fifth year. Embracing Melbourne’s unique identity as an arts, entertainment and hospitality hub continues to be a key pillar to its success.
Featuring 294 luxuriously stylish guest rooms and 29 suites, the hotel offers design features artfully curated to reflect Melbourne’s fascinating history and culture. Beyond W Melbourne’s accommodation options, the guest experience is enhanced by signature restaurants, Warabi and Lollo, luxury cocktail bar Curious and the distinctive WET Deck. These hospitality venues amplify W
Melbourne’s offering with innovative, original takes on the city’s multicultural cuisines and tap into the experiences guests are looking for in a luxury city stay.
