Accor continues its rapid expansion in China with the signing of management agreements for three hotels, including two new Sofitels…
Accor continues its rapid expansion in China with the signing of management agreements for three hotels, including two new Sofitels, in the Shanghai area and in Guangzhou.
Sofitel Guangzhou will be Accor`s first Sofitel in one of southern China`s main commercial hubs. Located right in the city`s central business district, the 470-room, 28-storey hotel will be part of a one-block development that will include an adjacent 60-storey office building.
The hotel is scheduled to open in late 2007 with three restaurants, two bars, a business centre, an indoor swimming pool, rooftop tennis court, Sofitel Club Floors and Executive Lounge, Sofitel Library, Cafe Lenotre and patisserie, Le Spa wellness complex, and a 1000sqm ballroom plus pre-function area. It is designed to China`s premier 5-star platinum hotel standard with guest rooms starting from 36sqm.
Sofitel Sheshan Resort Shanghai is located in Songjiang District, 20 minutes from Hongqiao Airport and is also scheduled to open late 2007.
The 318-room hotel will feature Tuscan influenced exterior design and interior decor, indoor and outdoor swimming pools – the latter featuring lagoons and waterfalls surrounded by exotic tropical landscaping. Other recreational facilities include a large fitness centre, 2,000sqm spa complex, four tennis courts, two squash courts and indoor golf driving range.
Meeting planners looking to organise events outside Shanghai can utilise the hotel`s over 5,000sqm of space, including a pillar-less ballroom accommodating up to 800 guests for dinner banquets and five additional break out rooms.
Accor also signed a contract for the 52-room Pudi Boutique Hotel Fuxing Parc Shanghai (managed by Accor) close to the Yandang Pedestrian Street. This area is near the former French Concession known for its colonial architecture and is also within walking distance of Xintiandi – one of Shanghai’s trendiest dining and entertainment areas. The hotel will open in January 2006.
This exclusive hotel project will feature luxurious rooms with a minimum of 47sqm living area and cater to high-end corporate and leisure guests.
Accor Senior Vice President Asia Pacific & CEO Greater China, Brian Deeson, said the three hotels would enhance Accor’s network in China and its reputation as the leading luxury hotel operator in the country.
These hotels will significantly expand our network and product range in China. Sofitel Guangzhou gives us a strategic presence in southern China’s most important city and complements Novotel Baiyun Airport Guangzhou that opens early next year.
The two hotels in the Shanghai area work well with our existing two Sofitels there – the PuDi Boutique Hotel also gives us a foothold in an important luxury market segment where we were not represented before.
The expansion of Accor`s five-star Sofitel hotel brand is part of a dramatic development that will see Accor`s hotel network double in size from the current 24 hotels to 50 hotels by the end of 2007, including over 20 Sofitel hotels and resorts.
During 2005 Accor opened Sofitel hotels in Xian and Xiamen, with the Sofitel Zhongshan Golf Resort Nanjing scheduled to open in December this year.
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