I understand your concern, but I’m not too worried in this case. From what I’ve seen, the InterContinental brand has now clearly established standards that must be met before a property can carry the name — particularly when it comes to new openings or conversions. These typically involve comprehensive renovations to align with brand expectations.

One of the key criteria is room size. While I haven’t personally stayed at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne, the photos suggest that the rooms are relatively spacious, which provides a solid base for repositioning. That said, the pool does appear quite small, which could be a limiting factor if not addressed.

As for the InterContinental Melbourne transitioning to a Regent, I was initially surprised. I recall the suites being quite generous in size, but also rather dark due to the building’s layout.

However, it seems they are planning a new tower extension. From the images, it looks like the original heritage building may house the lobby and the spa (and perhaps some meeting rooms and possibly a few guest roomsh, while most of the accommodation will likely be in the new tower — which could address the issue of natural light and provide a more elevated experience.
Let’s see how the execution unfolds, but there appears to be a real intent to meet — or even exceed — expectations rather than simply rebrand without substance.