The world’s largest hotelier Marriott International and the world’s largest international airline Emirates have joined forces to open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge – a 40-key all-inclusive luxury lodge set on a 2,830-hectare conservancy in Australia’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area.
Due to open mid-2026 as the first Ritz-Carlton Lodge worldwide, the project, three hours northwest of Sydney, has involved extensive renovations of an historic property which closed in 2023 after a landslide blocked access to the area, and the impact of the pandemic.
The lodge will also offer a sleep-out experience, in which guests can dine by a campfire under the night sky, in a remote part of the property.
There are plans to revamp the main homestead, recreational spaces, and add a Ritz-Carlton Spa.
Since 2006, Emirates has invested A$150 million (US$105 million) in the resort and is now splashing an additional A$50 million in renovations, working in consultation with Marriott to transform the property “into a world-class expression of The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service and refined design, with a deep connection to place”.
Guests will initially access the lodge via four-wheel-drive transfer, or by helicopter.
Marriott International president for Asia-Pacific excluding China Rajeev Menon said the Wolgan Valley asset required an operator with a long-term stewardship mindset.
“Our role as hoteliers is not simply to build beautiful hotels, but to be worthy custodians of the places entrusted to us.”
One&Only Resorts took over management of the property in 2015 before its closure.