Penrith debuts its first luxury hotel: A $110m 5-star complex

afr.com:

Penrith will open its first-ever five-star hotel next month, as the city looks to benefit from the 2026-scheduled opening of the Western Sydney International Nancy-Bird Walton Airport at Badgerys Creek, just a 20-minute drive on the A9.

Traditionally, Penrith has played poor cousin to neighbouring Parramatta – which functions as Sydney’s “second CBD”, with a gross regional product of around $28.21 billion for the end of the 2022 financial year, versus a GRP of $13.3 billion for the City of Penrith.

General manager Glen Erickson shows off the lobby of the new Pullman Sydney Penrith, scheduled to open in mid-August. Peter Rae

But given Parramatta is twice as far as Penrith from the new Badgerys Creek airport development at 40 kilometres versus 19 kilometres, Penrith has a key advantage.

The 153-room Pullman Sydney Penrith on Mulgoa Road – a $110 million joint development along with the Western Sydney Conference Centre (WSCC) – has been funded by the Panthers Group as part of a transformation of the Penrith Panthers precinct to create a modern business and entertainment destination.

The Panthers Group owns six licensed venues, along with the Penrith Panthers NRL team.

Glen Erickson, general manager of the Pullman Sydney Penrith, said the strong focus would be on creating quality food and beverage outlets.

“This will be Penrith’s first five-star hotel, and it’s the first international five-star hotel west of Sydney Olympic Park and Warwick Farm,” said Mr Erickson who has previously held senior roles with Novotel Melbourne South Wharf, that Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra in Hawaii, and Pullman Sydney Olympic Park.

“Furthermore, the hotel has aspirations to host Penrith’s first chef’s hatted restaurant.”

Room rates will be around