Starwood announced last week a new Aloft hotel will debut in Melbourne, Australia, in early 2019. The property is the third under development on the continent and offers 176 guestrooms within a mixed-use development, 402 Chapel. “The brand continues to experience rapid growth globally and locally here in Australia, where we currently have two Aloft hotels under construction in Adelaide and Perth. The Aloft brand and its ‘different by design’ approach is the perfect match for a vibrant and sophisticated city like Melbourne, where there is a growing demand for affordable yet stylish tech-forward hotels,” said Sean Hun, vice president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Pacific. The property is a 40-minute drive from Melbourne Airport (MEL) and located within Melbourne’s shopping and entertainment district. The 402 Chapel mixed-use development includes conference facilities, exclusive residences, shopping and dining. “Since it emerged in 2008, the Aloft brand has grown at a rapid rate, recently opening its 100^th hotel worldwide. The brand continues to drive accelerated interest from investors and developers across all markets in Australia who want to shake up the traditional mid-market hotel sector. Aloft offers a unique model with its urban-inspired design, innovative technologies and lively social atmosphere, catering to the next generation of hyper-connected travelers,” said Andrew Taylor, director, acquisitions and development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Pacific.