Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong Named Regional Accommodation of the Year at 2026 Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong
- Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong has been named Regional Accommodation of the Year at the 2026 Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence, presented by Accommodation Australia at The Palladium at Crown in Melbourne.
- The award followed an independent anonymous assessment in which the hotel achieved an overall score of 94 per cent, with perfect scores of 100 per cent for parking, general facilities, hotel facilities, and breakfast.
- Judges highlighted the hotel's modern and well-maintained presentation, clean and comfortable facilities, and the friendly, professional service delivered by the team, with particular praise for personalised interactions during check-in, breakfast, and check-out.
- The breakfast experience, gym, swimming pool, and sustainability initiatives encouraging water and energy conservation were also singled out for commendation during the assessment.
- General Manager Kruno Velican said the award reflects the genuine hospitality and professionalism of the team, noting that its significance is amplified by the fact the experience was assessed independently and anonymously.
Geelong, 31 August 2026 - Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG has been named Regional Accommodation of the Year at the 2026 Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence, recognising the hotel’s commitment to delivering a consistently welcoming, comfortable and high-quality guest experience.
Presented by Accommodation Australia at an awards ceremony held on Thursday 20 August at The Palladium at Crown in Melbourne, the award places Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong among Victoria’s leading regional accommodation properties.
The win follows an independent judging process that included an anonymous property visit conducted by a third-party assessment organization. As part of the assessment, the hotel achieved an impressive 94 per cent overall score, with perfect scores of 100 per cent recorded for parking, general facilities, hotel facilities and breakfast. Guest rooms scored 96 per cent, while reception achieved 94 per cent.
The mystery shopper’s assessment highlighted the hotel’s modern and well-maintained presentation, clean and comfortable facilities, and the friendly and professional approach of its team. Particular praise was given to the personalized service experienced during check-in, breakfast and check-out, with team members proactively recommending local attractions, dining options and hotel facilities to enhance the guest’s stay.
The mystery shopping assessment also highlighted the hotel’s breakfast experience, noting attentive service, a broad selection of hot, cold and healthy options, clearly labelled dietary information and thoughtful touches such as a fresh juice station. The hotel’s gym and swimming pool were also noted as clean and well-maintained, alongside visible sustainability initiatives encouraging guests to participate in water and energy conservation.
For Kruno Velican, the General Manager of the hotel, this award is a reflection of the people behind the guest experience.
“This award is a wonderful recognition of the care, professionalism and genuine hospitality our team brings to the hotel every day. What makes it particularly meaningful is that the experience was assessed independently and anonymously, because it reflects what our guests actually encounter when they stay with us. We are incredibly proud of the team and grateful to our guests for trusting us with their stays. Geelong is such a fantastic destination, and our goal is to make every guest feel genuinely welcome while giving them a great base from which to experience the city.”
Ideally positioned in the heart of Geelong, Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong is located directly across from the city’s arts and entertainment precinct, while the waterfront and shopping precinct are just a short and pleasant walk away. The convenient location makes the hotel an ideal base for both business and leisure stays, whether guests are travelling for work, enjoying a getaway with family, or spending time with loved ones.
The Regional Accommodation of the Year win marks a significant achievement for Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong as it continues to strengthen its position as a leading accommodation choice for both business and leisure travelers visiting Geelong and the wider region.
For more on Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, visit the hotel’s website or follow @holidayinngeelong, on Facebook and Instagram.
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Contact details:
Lely Elfrida
Marketing Manager
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong lelyelfrida.manurung@ihg.com
