Marriott International has signed agreements with CP Group for three new hotels in New Zealand, expanding its pipeline with properties in Rotorua, Auckland and Wellington.
The projects are expected to add a combined 335 rooms and will introduce two Marriott brands to the New Zealand market: Marriott Hotels and Autograph Collection.
The three properties are scheduled to open between late 2027 and 2029 and follow another recent agreement between Marriott and CP Group for a St. Regis development in Queenstown.
Marriott Hotels to debut in Rotorua
The first of the three projects is expected to be Rotorua Marriott Hotel, which will bring Marriott’s flagship namesake brand to New Zealand.
The existing Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua on Fenton Street will undergo a comprehensive 12-month renovation before reopening under the Marriott Hotels brand in late 2027.
Based on the total portfolio announced by Marriott, the converted property is expected to have approximately 135 rooms.
The development will also give Marriott its first hotel in Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s major tourism destinations and a centre for Māori culture, geothermal attractions and outdoor tourism.
“We’re proud to bring the first Marriott hotel brand to Rotorua,” said Paul Richardson, Chief Operating Officer of CP Hotels.
“As one of New Zealand’s most distinctive tourism destinations, Rotorua Marriott Hotel is set to raise the bar in accommodation for visitors to this iconic region.”
Autograph Collection coming to Auckland in 2028
Marriott and CP Group will also introduce the Autograph Collection brand to Auckland through the conversion of a historic building on Eden Crescent in the city’s central business district.
The property will become The Official Auckland, Autograph Collection and is scheduled to open in 2028.
The boutique hotel will feature 82 rooms, with the redevelopment designed to retain the character and history of the existing building while repositioning it as an upscale lifestyle property.
Once open, it is expected to become Marriott’s fourth hotel in Auckland.
Autograph Collection is Marriott’s portfolio of independent hotels, with individual properties maintaining distinctive designs and identities while participating in Marriott’s global distribution and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty platform.
Historic Wellington building to become 118-room hotel
A second Autograph Collection property is planned for Wellington.
Fable Wellington, Autograph Collection is expected to open in 2029 with 118 rooms.
The project will repurpose a historic office building dating from the 1940s at the corner of Lambton Quay and Stout Street.
It will also join CP Group’s existing Fable Hotels portfolio in New Zealand.
Both the Auckland and Wellington projects therefore involve adapting existing historic buildings rather than constructing entirely new properties.
Marriott expands New Zealand pipeline
The three-hotel agreement represents a significant expansion for Marriott in a market where its current operating portfolio remains relatively small.
“New Zealand is an important growth region for Marriott International, and this agreement with CP Group reflects our strategy to bring our brands and distinctive experiences to more destinations across the region,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China at Marriott International.
Marriott currently operates JW Marriott Auckland and Four Points by Sheraton Auckland in New Zealand.
Its pipeline already includes Sheraton Christchurch and Moxy Auckland, both expected to open in 2027.
The latest agreement will extend the group’s footprint beyond its existing Auckland presence while adding Rotorua and Wellington to its network.
Marriott and CP Group are also working together on the previously announced St. Regis Queenstown project, further expanding their partnership in the New Zealand hospitality market.
Once the newly announced properties are completed, Marriott will have a broader presence across several of the country’s major leisure and urban destinations, while Marriott Bonvoy members will gain additional options for earning and redeeming points in New Zealand.
