This month Accor opens Sofitel on Renmin Square Xian, the third hotel in the historical Renmin Square compound…
This month Accor opens Sofitel on Renmin Square Xian, the third hotel in the historical Renmin Square compound that also includes the Grand Mercure on Renmin Square and Mercure on Renmin Square hotels, the Sofitel Convention Centre on Renmin Square and Grand Theatre.
Xian, in the north-west of China, is home to one of the world`s greatest tourist attractions – the Terracotta Warriors – and the launch of the Renmin quare hotel complex will allow the city to host larger numbers of domestic and international visitors, as well as major conferences and incentive groups.
The entire Renmin Square integrated complex, adjacent to the Shaanxi Provincial Government office and the famous Bell Tower of Xian, is the first of its kind in northwest China. It is spread over 104 hectares of beautifully landscaped grounds making it a peaceful sanctuary right in Xian`s city centre. It comprises over 900 rooms in three different hotel categories, complemented by the region`s finest convention and meeting facilities, outstanding restaurants and bars, plus a leisure and relaxation component rarely found in an urban setting.
Renmin Square holds a unique historical place in the People`s Republic of China. The original People`s Hotel opened there in 1953 and has hosted many heads of state and senior Chinese government officials over the years.
The Sofitel on Renmin Square Xian is the flagship hotel of the development, built to China`s newly launched five-star platinum hotel standards, making it the most luxurious hotel in the region. It features 423 rooms, suites and apartments, each offering a sleek, modern interior design, Sofitel`s `MyBed` and attractive furnishings juxtaposed with Chinese paintings and handicrafts. There are eight restaurants and bars in the two hotel buildings, Sofitel Club Rooms and Sofitel Lounge, Le Spa wellness complex with 12 therapy rooms, modern fitness centre, game room and indoor swimming pool.
The 202-room Grand Mercure on Renmin Square is a low-rise heritage building built in 1957 with a classic Sino-Russian facade. Guest rooms in this boutique hotel feature a strong Chinese design motif reflecting the sophistication of the original hotel. Mercure on Renmin Square offers comfortable and elegant accommodation in its 111 rooms and suites.
Renmin Square General Manager, Michel Molliet, said having three hotels under the same complex would appeal to both the leisure and corporate travel markets.
Tourists visiting the Terracotta Warriors or other Tang Dynasty sites around Xian will enjoy the value for money accommodation and international standards of the Mercure or Grand Mercure hotels.
For the Sofitel we are targeting managers in Xian`s technology-intensive industries and the financial sector. The area is also an important hub for China`s aerospace, automotive and textile industries so we expect strong demand from corporate travellers.
According to Mr Molliet, Renmin Square also offers unprecedented flexibility for meeting and convention organisers looking to create unique events at Renmin Square.
The hotels cover a complete three to five star range and represent a great budget advantage for clients. We can offer them a one-stop-shop for events, either indoors at the Sofitel Convention Centre and Grand Theatre or outside on the grounds around the three hotels.
Renmin Square offers the kind of quality food, beverage and entertainment experience normally associated with large commercial capitals. It is not a secondary city atmosphere and event organisers are desperately looking for destinations outside of Beijing and Shanghai, he added.
Sofitel Convention Centre on Renmin Square Xian is the largest facility in the region with a 1,100sqm pillar less Grand Ballroom able to accommodate 1,000 people for cocktail functions and is divisible into three individual areas. There are nine additional meeting rooms that can accommodate from 20 to 150 people. The Ballroom and all meeting rooms are equipped with modern audiovisual equipment and translation services. It is fully supported (same building) by Le Chinois Cantonese Restaurant with its 12 private dining rooms and seating capacity between eight to 80 guests.
The Grand Theatre dates back to the 1950s and seats 1,500 people. It offers a venue ideally suited for international conferences, corporate events or concerts and has been completely refurbished with computerised stage management software covering lighting, sound and moveable set pieces. With sweeping white marble staircases and private boxes it is reminiscent of great theatres common to major European cities.
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