Accor, will add four new Sofitels to its fast growing China network, significantly raising the profile of its luxury brand with 16 Sofitels under operation…
Accor, will add four new Sofitels to its fast growing China network, significantly raising the profile of its luxury brand with 16 Sofitels under operation or scheduled to open around China by the end of 2005.
Sofitel is the prestige brand of Accor hotels, with more than 180 hotels and resorts that bring a unique French “art de vivre” to prime locations around the world.
The important addition of these new hotels further enhances Accor’s strategy of building a comprehensive network of Sofitels hotels around China. These properties will greatly extend Accor’s already significant presence in China’s key commercial and leisure centres with notable additions to the network in Guangdong, Xian, Suzhou and Xiamen.
Accor will manage the Sofitel Xian (405 rooms), Sofitel Suzhou (350 rooms), Sofitel Plaza Xiamen (395 rooms) and Sofitel Royal Lagoon Dongguan (265 rooms), giving it an impressive presence in four major regional centres around China.
Accor Managing Director Asia Pacific, Michael Issenberg, said the group continues to target Sofitel expansion in all major cities around China as the demand from domestic and overseas travel sectors continues to increase rapidly.
“We are delighted to add these four outstanding hotels, as the expansion of our Sofitel network around China remains one of Accor’s highest priorities.
Each one extends our reach into important regions of China where Accor has not been represented in the past, offering our domestic and international guests greater choice when travelling around the country.
“Sofitel Xian is clearly a very important hotel for the international market. The Terracotta Warriors remain one of China’s most visible and famous tourism products, second possibly only to the Great Wall, and it continues to draw millions of visitors every year.
“Sofitel’s expansion complements the growth of the Accor network, which now features a presence in all of the key international destinations around China, including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangdong, Xian and Chengdu.”
Sofitel Xian (405 rooms) will be Accor’s first hotel in China’s important northwest region, a vibrant economic growth centre. It will be part of the famed Renmin Mansion, a sprawling complex of several large buildings and has a unique historical place in the People’s Republic of China. The original complex opened in 1953 and has played host to many high profile government events over the years. The Sofitel Xian is an extension of the original Renmin Mansion, built to China’s newly launched five-star platinum hotel standards, and will be the most luxurious hotel in the region.
Sofitel Suzhou (350 rooms) is a low-rise, seven-storey hotel designed in traditional Chinese style with unique classical gardens and external architectural influences. It is adjacent to a modern shopping mall and is within walking distance to both Xuan Miao temple and Guanqian Street, two of Suzhou’s best-known landmarks. Suzhou is located an hour train ride from Shanghai and is best known for its picturesque gardens and canals.
Sofitel Plaza Xiamen will be the first internationally managed five-star hotel located in the heart of the city’s financial district. The 395-room hotel offers spectacular sea views of Gu Lang Yu Island and is close to Nan Pu Tuo temple and the Chinese Overseas Museum. Xiamen, a modern international port city, is located on the southeast coast of China. As one of the “special economic zones”, Xiamen’s economy has developed rapidly with an annual growth rate of more than 20% in the GDP since 1980.
Sofitel Royal Lagoon Dongguan (265 rooms) offers guests a unique urban resort environment right in the commercial heart of bustling Guangdong province. It is surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens of picturesque Hu Ying Park and is adjacent to the 36-hole Hill View Golf Club. It stands out as the only five-star hotel in Southern China to feature a 30,000sqm outdoor water park, in addition to an expansive 2,600sqm pool. It also features 22 meeting rooms, 950sqm Royal Ballroom and an adjacent Royal Convention Centre for up to 600 delegates.
The latest expansion will give Accor a current commitment of 32 hotels under management around China by the end of 2005 under its Sofitel (16 hotels), Novotel (12 hotels) and Ibis (two hotels) brands. Accor also manages two hotels under the Century brand.
Throughout the course of the last four years, Sofitel has become a benchmark for brand expansion in the luxury hotel market with the prestigious openings of Sofitel New York, Sofitel Paris Bercy, Sofitel Tokyo, Sofitel St James London, Sofitel Palm Beach Marseille, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington D.C., Sofitel Marrakech, Sofitel Silom Bangkok, Sofitel Montreal , Sofitel Buenos Aires, Sofitel Budapest, Sofitel Nicolas de Ovando (Dominican Republic), Sofitel Boao, Sofitel Chengdu and Sofitel Jin Jiang Oriental Pudong Shanghai in China.
The strategic development of the brand continues into 2004 with a number of new properties, including, amongst others, Sydney (Australia), Venice (Italiy) , Marbella (Spain), Agadir (Morocco) and 6 new addresses in China including Sofitel Royal Lagoon Dongguan (facing Hong-Kong) and Sofitel Grand Park Hefei (North East of Shanghai).
More than 20 Dorint Sofitel hotels are enriching the Sofitel network with new addresses in the major cities and the leading holiday resorts in Germany, Netherlands, Austria and Spain (Balearic Islands).
All these openings strengthen the presence of Sofitel, which stands out with its French art de vivre” that can be felt in each hotel around the world; through its decor, art work, uniforms created by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, and the cuisine.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
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