Hamilton airport hotel revamp to cost up to $5 million

The hotel and conference centre at Hamilton's increasingly busy airport is to get a major facelift.

Hamilton airport's hotel is to get a $5 million makeover by the end of this year and has been leased to North Island hotel operator Jet Park.

The 62-room hotel was bought by airport owner, Waikato Regional Airport Ltd (WRAL) last year as part of its strategy to grow its non-aviation income.

Ownership of the hotel, which after its revamp will offer a destination restaurant and 4-star conference facility and accommodation, will remain with the airport company, which is owned by five Waikato councils.

The hotel will stay open during the refurbishment which will be managed by WRAL and Jet Park, which operates hotels in Auckland and Rotorua.

WRAL chief executive Mark Morgan said demand for a quality hotel on the airport precinct was strong with a growing regional visitor market and increase in flights to and from Hamilton.

The cost of the makeover will be met by WRAL.

Jet Park owner Liz Herrmann said the Mystery Creek hotel, which would be rebranded as part of the Jet Park group, would offer an "exceptional" gateway to Hamilton and the Waikato.

"We want to create something really vibrant and take advantage of the beautiful gardens and the wonderful green space (at the airport)...."

The hotel would showcase original New Zealand artwork with a focus on the work by Waikato-based artists, she said.

The Waikato region is now the fifth largest market for visitor spending, which generates $1.5 billion a year for the regional economy.