Emirates, Marriott to open world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge

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marriott emirates signing ritz carlton austrralia

Emirates, Marriott International signing

Emirates and Marriott International have signed an agreement to open the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Australia, converting the former Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in New South Wales into an all-inclusive luxury lodge under The Ritz-Carlton brand.

The property, to be known as Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, is expected to open in mid-2026 as a 40-key boutique resort on a 7,000-acre conservation reserve in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area, around a three-hour drive from Sydney.

Emirates has owned the Wolgan Valley resort since 2006, investing AU$150 million (AED385 million) in its development and operating it as Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in partnership with Kerzner until 2023.

The airline is now injecting a further AU$50 million (AED128 million) into renovations to reposition the asset, with a design approach that emphasises the environment and local cultural heritage, building on earlier work that included restoring the original 1832 homestead and planting more than one million native trees.

wolgan valley australia emirates ritz carlton

Emirates-owned Wolgan Valley property

Amenities and experiences

As a rural off-road retreat, the property will be accessible exclusively by four-wheel drive along the Donkey Steps or by helicopter. The 40 stand-alone lodges will each feature a private pool and bespoke amenities. In the main homestead, facilities will include an arrival lounge and sitting room, a restaurant, lounge bar and a wine room, while outdoors a swimming pool, tennis courts, equestrian stables, a fitness centre and a Ritz-Carlton Spa are planned.

The lodge itself will occupy less than 2% of the reserve, with guests enjoying access to wide open landscapes, some of the clearest night skies in the region, rare native flora and abundant wildlife such as bare-nosed wombats and brush-tailed rock wallabies, with activities led by specialist guides.

A dedicated naturalist hub, led by a resident expert, will anchor conservation-focused programming and activities that connect guests with the Unesco-listed Greater Blue Mountains. Among the key experiences will be a signature sleep-out: a guided overnight trip into more remote parts of the wilderness, with outdoor dining, a campfire and unobstructed views of the night sky.

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Commenting on the agreement, Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said: “For us, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will not only be an extraordinary resort appealing to discerning travellers seeking to be close to nature, but also a powerful engine for local economic growth, helping to rejuvenate the Wolgan Valley locality.”

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, added that the lodge will be a “major drawcard for our network of 260 million loyal Marriott Bonvoy members around the world, particularly with the upcoming plans in store for immersive experiences that connect them deeply to the local area, something our luxury travellers are increasingly prioritising.”

The lodge will join The Ritz-Carlton, Perth, opened in 2019, and The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, opened in 2023, further expanding the brand’s footprint in Australia.

For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com