EMIRATES AND MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL WILL BRING THE WORLD’S FIRST RITZ-CARLTON LODGE TO AUSTRALIA’S WOLGAN VALLEY

Emirates and Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) have signed an agreement to open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, a luxurious 40-room, all-inclusive lodge to be located on a 7,000-acre nature reserve in Australia’s World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.

Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, is expected to be the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge, an important milestone for regional tourism in New South Wales (NSW). As an expression of the renowned luxury brand, Ritz-Carlton Lodges are conceived as sanctuaries built in nature, carefully designed to reflect their surroundings, prioritising minimal environmental impact and offering a heightened sense of luxury, comfort and craftsmanship. Scheduled to open in mid-2026, the project offers a new benchmark for luxury travel and the potential to revitalise the region’s tourism offering.

Since 2006, Emirates has invested A$150 million in the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, developing the property with a deep respect for its environmental and cultural heritage. This has included the restoration of historically significant monuments, such as the original house dating back to 1832, along with extensive conservation programmes to restore native flora and fauna, including the planting of more than one million native trees throughout the grounds. Emirates is now investing an additional A$50 million in renovations, in collaboration 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 the environment.

Reflecting Emirates’ commitment to the location, following the closure of Wolgan Valley Road in 2023, Emirates has maintained the resort with a small number of local employees, as the property was inevitably out of service.

Since the resort’s founding, Emirates has worked closely with the local Wolgan Valley community and remains committed to its involvement. The opening of ‘Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge’ offers the potential to recreate nearly 150 jobs in the community, including increased opportunities for local suppliers, such as fresh Australian produce, which will contribute to the local economy.

Guests will access the resort via a 4×4 shuttle service through Donkey Steps, which will be part of the resort’s off-road country experience, or by helicopter.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, states: “In our 30 years of operations in Australia, Emirates has consistently sought to deliver value to our customers and to Australia. Our commitment goes far beyond the provision of air transport services. It is reflected in the strong and lasting relationships we have built with our industry partners, in our active engagement with the Australian community through Emirates Wolgan Valley, and in our extensive sponsorships in sport and the arts. We are proud of our long-term investment in the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, which launched one of Australia’s first conservation-based luxury resorts. Our unwavering commitment to the resort leads to today’s announcement of an exciting agreement with Marriott International to open the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge.

He added: “For us, “Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge” will not only be an extraordinary resort that will attract discerning travellers seeking to be close to nature, but also a powerful engine for local economic growth, helping to rejuvenate the Wolgan Valley community. We are deeply grateful for the support of the federal government and our partnerships with the state government, Lithgow City Council and the Wolgan Valley community, which have helped Emirates make this project possible.”

Rajeev Menon, President of Marriott International for Asia-Pacific (excluding China), said: “We are honoured to be partnering with Emirates on this important project, which brings together the world’s largest hotelier and largest international airline to revitalise luxury tourism in New South Wales. Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge marks the brand’s global debut in the lodge sector and will be a major draw for our network of 260 million loyal Marriott Bonvoy members worldwide, especially with our upcoming plans to offer them immersive experiences that connect them deeply with the area, something that our luxury travellers increasingly value.”

Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge is an immersive sanctuary that harmonises wilderness with comfort. It is designed to deliver the legendary service and refined luxury for which The Ritz-Carlton and Emirates are known, while creating a deep connection to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains region. Inspired by the warmth and character of traditional Australian farms, the lodge is expected to offer unique, region-specific experiences led by expert guides.

Set within a vast 7,000-acre nature reserve, the lodge occupies less than 2% of this protected area, ensuring an unparalleled sense of space and seclusion. Guests enjoy exclusive access to pristine landscapes under one of the world’s clearest night skies, rare native flora such as the ancient Wollemi pine, and an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats and wallabies. Together, these elements create an extraordinary environment that invites travellers to relax, explore and connect deeply with the destination.

With demand for premium nature-focused experiences, the lodge is a perfect complement to this thriving destination. According to Tourism Research Australia, the New South Wales region welcomed 15.5 million domestic visitors in the quarter ending September 2025, generating A$5.9 billion in visitor spending and 18.5 million overnight stays. International arrivals contributed an additional 727,300 visitors and A$1.2 billion in expenditure, underscoring the region’s growing appeal.

Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, is expected to feature 40 elegantly appointed accommodations, each with a private pool and personalised services. The lodge is also expected to offer a unique outdoor overnight experience: a guided journey into remote wilderness, where the absence of light reveals a stunning night sky, providing the backdrop for an outdoor dinner and a moment of relaxation by the campfire. This unique overnight adventure combines the comfort for which The Ritz-Carlton is renowned with the unspoilt beauty of Australia.

The design plans for the main estate envisage a sanctuary of sophistication with a welcoming lounge and living room, an exclusive restaurant, a bar and a wine room, which will provide guests with a select collection of local and international wines, alongside the exceptional produce for which Australia is renowned worldwide.

The completely renovated recreational spaces will be carefully redesigned to pay homage to wellness and the natural environment, including an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, stables, a modern gym and the world-famous ‘The Ritz-Carlton Spa’. As part of the lodge’s commitment to the destination, there are also plans for a naturalist centre, led by a resident expert, to organise immersive, conservation-focused experiences, inviting guests to connect deeply with the Blue Mountains.

The lodge will complement the current presence of The Ritz-Carlton brand in the country, which includes the award-winning The Ritz-Carlton, Perth (opened in 2019) and The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne (opening in 2023).