Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley set for $5.5 million upgrade

A $5.5 million investment into the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley will see the construction of the Hunter Valley's first conference centre along with an on-site brewery and distillery.

Resort owners the Schwartz Family Company, who purchased the hotel in 2012, will make the investment while IHG will continue to manage the property after signing a new 10-year agreement with owner.

Construction of the $4 million Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley conference centre has received significant Government support, with the Federal Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism granting $250,000.

With the conference centre will come an upgrade to the existing exhibition space at the hotel, installation of a new large-scale commercial kitchen and establishment of a permanent marquee on the grounds.

Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley will also become the centre of operations for the Schwartz Family's Sydney Brewing Company, with a 300 metre2 brewery, micro distillery and cellar door due to be established as part of the hotel's main complex. Within the next two years a larger, purpose-built craft brewery and distillery will be established on 41 hectares of newly-acquired adjacent land.

Other enhancements to be made include a soft refurbishment of Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley's 150 hotel rooms and 169 two and three bedroom villas, improvements to the hotel's 18-hole golf course, expansion of the kid's club (which has already received a children's train and 22-horse carousel), an extension of the hotel's Grapevine Bar and Restaurant, and new energy and water consumption infrastructure.

IHG Australasia Head of Operations Bill Edwards said the company was delighted to extend their management agreement for Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, and that the team was eagerly anticipating the upgrade of the hotel which draws the majority of its visitors from Australia, China, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Edwards explained "the Hunter Valley region is focusing on increasing its share of corporate, meetings and leisure business; so the timing couldn't be better to undertake this sort of upgrade to Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. The team are looking forward to the new and improved hotel facilities that guests will be able to enjoy."

Schwartz Family Company Director Dr Jerry Schwartz said about the announcement "we have an enormous opportunity to build on what's already been achieved at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, and establish it as one of the most popular leisure and conferencing resorts in the country.

"IHG has managed this hotel very successfully since it opened in 2006, and is unquestionably the best partner to help us realise our long-term plans for this facility."

All upgrades are due to be completed by the end of 2014.

For more information on the hotel, visit

http://www.crowneplazahuntervalley.com.au