Accor will introduce its new 5-star Pullman brand to Auckland, following the announcement that a Pullman hotel will be developed out of the former New Zealand Reserve Bank, in the heart of the central business district. The hotel is due to open in the second quarter of 2010.

The NZ$100 million project is being developed by the New Zealand-based CP Group, and will involve the conversion of the Reserve Bank building and the construction of an adjoining tower that will connect with the existing building. The hotel will have extensive conference facilities for up to 800 delegates as well as a major restaurant, rooftop swimming pool, gymnasium and day spa.

Pullman Auckland will add to Accor’s current portfolio of Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, all seasons and Formule 1 hotels in the city. Accor currently operates 29 hotels and resorts in New Zealand.

The launch of the Pullman hotel brand is part of Accor's drive to reposition its brands, which will in particular elevate Sofitel into the luxury segment. This strategy has created the opportunity to launch Pullman as a new brand of hotels clearly positioned in the upscale segment and targeting the corporate and conference/meeting markets.

59 Pullman hotels in the world up to 2009 and 300 up to 2015

The announcement of Pullman Auckland follows the global launch of the brand in late 2007, which saw 12 Pullman hotels debut in Europe and Asia.  By the end of 2009, the Pullman network will consist of 59 hotels and over 15,600 rooms in 23 countries in Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia-Pacific, including a Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park, due to open in the final quarter of 2008. In the medium to longer term, Accor’s ambition is to develop a worldwide chain of 300 hotels by 2015, including 100 hotels in Asia-Pacific. The aim is to grow the global network by 25 hotels a year.

Pullman – part of Accor’s expansion in New Zealand

“We have been looking for a suitable upscale project in Auckland to complement our wide range of mid-scale and economy hotels in the city, and this project offers an outstanding location that will prove popular for business travellers, conference groups and leisure travellers,” said Paul Richardson, Accor’s Vice President New Zealand and Fiji.

“Pullman Auckland will be an ideal venue for guests to relax and enjoy their stay. The environment is designed around flowing spaces, comfortable facilities, the latest technology and warm, professional service.

“With the corporate and meetings sectors being particularly fast growing markets, the Pullman hotel brand is being launched to meet a clear market demand”

Starting 2009, the Pullman network will count on 59 hotels in 23 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. By 2015, Accor expects over 300 establishments around the world.