Ascott has expanded its presence in Australia with the opening of its first Citadines serviced residence in Melbourne, Victoria.

Ascott has invested AUD168 million to develop the new 380-unit Citadines Melbourne on Bourke which is now the company's largest Citadines-branded serviced residence in its global network.

The launch of Citadines Melbourne on Bourke strengthens Ascott's lead in Australia where it has a total of 884 apartment units in eight properties across four cities. Mr Alfred Ong, Ascott's Managing Director for Southeast Asia and Australia, said: "We see tremendous potential in bringing Citadines to Melbourne.

The Victorian Government continues to attract business and leisure travellers with its strong sports, arts and event strategies. This will create significant demand for our serviced residences. Citadines offers savvy travellers flexible services to suit their lifestyles. It will complement our existing Somerset properties and enable us to better cater to travellers' different lifestyle needs. To extend our footprint in Australia, we will also continue to seek opportunities in other key cities including Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth."

Ascott introduced Citadines, the renowned European hospitality brand to Asia Pacific in 2006 with the opening of Citadines Shanghai Jinqiao. Since then, the world's largest international serviced residence owner-operator has opened more than 10 Citadines serviced residences in the region including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kyoto, Singapore, Suzhou, Tokyo and Xi'an. Currently, there are also over 40 Citadines serviced residences in Europe.

Located in the heart of the Central Business District at 131-135 Bourke Street, Citadines Melbourne on Bourke is well served by public transport and within walking distance to restaurants, cafés, cinemas, high-end shopping as well as parks and gardens. The property is also at the midpoint of Melbourne's renowned theatre district and close to major office towers.

Designed by one of the world's leading design studios, Woods Bagot, Citadines Melbourne on Bourke reflects the vibrancy of Melbourne.

Inspired by the city's distinctive laneways of boutique cafés, shops andgalleries, the lobby of the serviced residence is designed as a laneway connecting two renowned shopping strips. The property also showcases the works of Melbourne artists, providing a local contemporary edge to the serviced residence.

Citadines Melbourne on Bourke offers choices of studio, one- and two-bedroom executive and deluxe apartments. All apartments boast floor-to-ceiling windows, with the units on the higher floors offering panoramic views of the city. Each apartment unit in the serviced residence also comes with separate living and dining areas, kitchenettes, modern fittings, a state-of-the-art home entertainment system and wireless broadband Internet access. In addition, travellers can choose to enjoy a range of facilities in the serviced residence including a swimming pool, sauna, gymnasium, launderette and services such as dry cleaning and babysitting.

To celebrate the opening of Citadines Melbourne on Bourke and in conjunction with CapitaLand's 10th anniversary, Ascott is offering introductory rates from AUD150 per night from 1 July to 30 September 2010.

Besides Citadines Melbourne on Bourke, travellers to Australia can choose from Ascott's three Somerset-branded serviced residences in Melbourne (Somerset Gordon Heights, Somerset Gordon Place and Somerset on Elizabeth), two properties in
Hobart (Somerset on the Pier and Somerset on Salamanca), Somerset Darling Harbour in Sydney and Somerset St Georges Terrace in Perth.