IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a strategic expansion of its Luxury & Lifestyle hotel portfolio in Australia, in partnership with investment manager Salter Brothers.

Valued at more than $1bn, the investment will see the rebranding and repositioning of several hotels within IHG's luxury brands, including the return of Regent Hotels & Resorts to Australia after a 28-year hiatus.

IHG Hotels and Resorts Australasia Pacific managing director Matt Tripolone said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing our Regent Hotels & Resorts brand back to Australia after an absence of 28 years, with Regent Melbourne on track to welcome guests in 2030.”

The Crowne Plaza properties in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra will all be rebranded as InterContinental while a new Hotel Indigo hotel will be introduced in Canberra.

In addition, voco Gold Coast will undergo a refurbishment, as well as an expansion of its leisure facilities.

The partnership between IHG and Salter Brothers will lead to the redevelopment of the InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto property into the Regent brand.

This aims to create a destination within Melbourne's CBD, complete with conference and event spaces, multiple dining venues, a luxury spa, and an exclusive Regent Club.

Salter Brothers managing director Paul Salter said: “We have a strong history with IHG spanning more than a decade, and are fully committed to our partnership, which continues to drive growth for our assets.”

IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates 76 hotels across Australasia under nine brands, with another 26 properties under development.

This expansion follows IHG's recent partnership with Luxora Hotels to introduce the Holiday Inn brand to Townsville, as part of its growth in Queensland.