Pan Pacific Hotels Group has launched its Pan Pacific brand in Australia with the opening of Pan Pacific Perth in Western Australia on 6 January 2011.

Australia represents an exciting growth market for the Singapore-based hotel management company, which owns and/or manages more than 30 hotels, resorts and serviced suites in Australia, Asia, Greater China and North America.

The 486-room Pan Pacific Perth (rebranded from Sheraton Perth) will inject much-needed revitalisation into Perth's hotel arena.

The introduction of this property also adds to Pan Pacific Hotels Group's aggressive growth strategy underway for Australia with the recent introduction of two PARKROYAL properties PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney and PARKROYAL Parramatta in Sydney. The Group also recently entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement to acquire the Hilton Melbourne Airport hotel.

Meanwhile, Grant Raubenheimer has been appointed General Manager of Pan Pacific Perth, bringing with him over 15 years of experience in 5-star national and international hotel management. Grant was most recently General Manager of Lilianfels, a 5-star deluxe resort hotel in the Blue Mountains. Prior to that, he spent five years at the award-winning deluxe boutique hotel The Observatory Hotel.

"Grant is a natural born leader with a proven track record of implementing and driving programmes and initiatives that yield first-class service and benefits to customers," said A. Patrick Imbardelli, President and Chief Executive of Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

"We are confident that Grant will take this iconic hotel in Perth, bring to it our Pan Pacific hallmark of hospitality and service, and capture the hearts and minds of the local Perth community and all of its guests."

Pan Pacific Perth's refurbishment promises to enhance the very best qualities of the property while bringing freshness to the 5-star accommodation in Perth.

It will retain all three existing dining outlets - Origins Restaurant, Montereys Restaurant and The Lobby Lounge. In line with the distinct Pan Pacific brand, a fresh new approach will feature in all three dining options, with the signature restaurant, Origins, a key focus for Pan Pacific Perth in 2011.

Origins' seasonal menu will showcase culinary works of art to inspire your tastebuds. Amid timeless surrounds, guests can expect indulgent signature dishes including Linley valley pork cutlet with creamed cabbage, crisp pancetta, honey glazed pumpkin, apple & date puree and parsnip crisps or the delicious twice cooked crispy duck with shitake mushrooms, baby corn, bok choy, duck cappelletti and char siu sauce. Origins Restaurant is perfect for corporate entertaining, intimate dinners, or family celebrations.

Pan Pacific Perth offers great views of the Swan River and boasts extensive meeting and banqueting facilities with 11 spacious function rooms, as well as an entire level dedicated to seven boardrooms with state-of-the-art technology. In March 2011, the hotel will unveil its completed Grand Ballroom, which is currently undergoing refurbishment.