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AccorHotels

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Marriott International leads global construction pipeline

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The Lodging Econometrics (LE) global construction pipeline trend report suggests that Marriot is leading the franchises in the global construction pipeline.

The construction pipeline that compiles statistics for every country and market in the world, states that the total pipeline stands at 12,714 projects/2,139,002 rooms, up seven per cent by projects year-over-year (YOY).

The leading five franchise companies in the global construction pipeline by project-count are: Marriott International with 2,381 projects/398,238 rooms, Hilton Worldwide with 2,180 projects/322,857 rooms, InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) with 1,600 projects/234,807 rooms, AccorHotels with 781 projects/140,396 rooms, and Choice Hotels with 629 projects/153,992 rooms. The leading brands for each of these companies are: Marriott’s Fairfield Inn with 357 projects/38,826 rooms, Hilton’s Hampton Inn & Suites with 599 projects/75,642 rooms, IHG’s Holiday Inn Express with 709 projects/86,836 rooms, Accor’s Ibis with 156 projects/22,361 rooms, and Choice’s Comfort Suites with 126 projects/10,983 rooms.

According to the economics experts, there are currently 5,952 projects/1,115,288 rooms under construction, up eight per cent by projects YOY. Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months, at 3,988 projects/584,433 rooms, are up six per cent while projects in early planning at 2,774 projects/439,281 rooms are up five per cent YOY.

AccorHotels acquires Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts

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Deal is subject to regulatory approval, but should complete this year.

AccorHotels has signed an agreement with Mövenpick Holding and Kingdom Holding to acquire Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, for a cash amount of €482 million.

Founded in 1973 in Switzerland, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts operates in 27 countries with 84 hotels and more than 20,000 rooms, with a strong presence in Europe and the Middle East.

Mövenpick also plans to open 42 additional hotels by 2021, representing almost 11,000 rooms, focused on the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. The Group employs more than 16,000 people worldwide.

AccorHotels says the deal implies a 14.9X 2019e EBITDA multiple before synergies (including transaction costs), and less than 10X pro forma 2019e EBITDA after run rate synergies and committed development pipeline. It also says the transaction will have an accretive impact on Group earnings from the first year.

The company says Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will benefit from its loyalty program, distribution channels and operating systems, which will help optimise performance.

The acquisition further consolidates the AccorHotels footprint in Europe and Middle East and accelerates growth in Africa and Asia. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, however, but should be completed during the second half of 2018.

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of AccorHotels, said: “With the acquisition of Mövenpick, we are consolidating our leadership in the European market and are further accelerating our growth in emerging markets, in particular in Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. The Mövenpick brand is the perfect combination of modernity and authenticity and ideally complements our portfolio. Its European-Swiss heritage is a perfect fit with AccorHotels. By joining the Group, it will benefit from AccorHotels’ power, particularly in terms of distribution, loyalty-building and development. This transaction illustrates the strategy we intend to pursue with the opening up of AccorInvest’s capital: to seize tactical opportunities to strengthen our positions and consolidate our leaderships, as well as leverage our growth.”

Property set to transition to Sofitel following refurbishment program

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AccorHotels has announced the rebranding of a landmark hotel in Jordan to Le Grand Amman.

The property consisting of 298-rooms and 67 well-appointed serviced apartments was launched in partnership with Iskan Co. for Touristic & Hotel Investments.

A welcome addition to Jordan’s rapidly evolving tourism and travel industry, the property is set to become Sofitel Amman following the first phase of refurbishment towards the end of 2019. Upon completion, this will mark the debut of Sofitel Hotels & Resorts in Jordan.

“This opening signifies the strategic expansion of our luxury portfolio in Jordan. While this property will be operated as Le Grand Amman – managed by AccorHotels, we are delighted to announce that it will transition into Sofitel, making way for the entry of one of our most prolific luxury brands in Jordan.

“Through this development with our trusted partner, we aim to bring the French art de vivre to a vibrant and growing market.”

The hotel features two specialty restaurants, an all-day dining restaurant, a trendy lobby lounge & bar along with a pool bar. Guests can relax and unwind at the spa or focus on wellness through the health club, indoor and outdoor pools.

Business travellers also have access to eight meeting rooms in addition to the largest ballroom in Amman for large-scale events and family occasions.

Sami Elmabrouk chairman of Iskan Co. for Touristic & Hotel Investments, added: “AccorHotels’ unparalleled network of hotels across the Middle East and strong distribution platform makes them the ideal partner as we look to expand our hospitality offering within Jordan.

“We are confident that Le Grand Amman – Managed by AccorHotels, which will later be reintroduced as Sofitel Amman, will be a truly remarkable and unique property within a growing market.”

RPW Design - Fairmont St. Andrew's Bar

Fairmont St Andrews to reopen this month after multi-million pound upgrade

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Fairmont St Andrews is expected to reopen this month following a multi-million pound renovation.

The hotel has now completed its renovation project, which has seen a newly-designed atrium, Kittock’s Bar and restaurant created, as well as the hotel’s 220 bedrooms and 19 suites, including the Kingdom of Fife presidential suite given a makeover.

John Keating, General Manager at Fairmont St Andrews, said: “This renovation has been a huge undertaking across the hotel; I’m extremely proud and excited to see the public areas looking so resplendent, they’ve already made a huge difference in opening space and the feel has been well received.”

RPW Design - Fairmont St. Andrew's Reception
The focal point of the newly refurbished atrium is ‘Zephyr’, a light installation by London-based artist George Singer in collaboration with Onformative.

Singer said: “Zephyr is designed to reflect the crashing waves, the flocks of starlings, the long wind-blown grasses, the spring blossom, the shoals of fish, the rolling hills, the clouds and the sheer energy, beauty, and dynamism of the east coast of Scotland.”

Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery by Sofitel

Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery by Sofitel

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Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery By Sofitel is set to soft launch in August 2017 with the official opening in September 2017.

Overlooking London’s famous Leicester Square, Victory House offers 86 stylish and contemporary bedrooms which are sound-proofed for a cosy, boutique hotel experience. The property’s unparalleled location provides guests with privileged access to the capital’s world-renowned cinema scene and a front row seat to Leicester Square’s film premieres in the heart of the West End.

Located on the ground floor, the hotel will feature restaurant Petit Bistro which offers French-inspired cuisine using local produce and cocktails. Led by acclaimed restaurateurs, Ed Baines and Jamie Poulton (founders of Randall and Aubin), Petit Bistro offers chic, modern dining in an informal setting. Petit Bistro provides alfresco dining in the summer months, making it the perfect spot to relax and watch the world go by.

Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery by Sofitel
The hotel is within walking distance of Soho, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and St. James, as well as London’s key historic landmarks such as the National Gallery and Somerset House. Designed by renowned architects Michealis Boyd, who have previously worked with Soho House Group to create lavish interiors for Soho Farmhouse and Babington House, the hotel’s rich cinematic history has been meticulously integrated into the design. Each room features 1950s film icons with black and white art deco interiors and soft teal, grey and beige furnishings, to create a quiet haven in the buzz of London’s cinema district. Black and white 1950s movie stars feature in the hotel’s corridors, as well as silent 1950s movies that are projected in the lift and lobby.

The building’s 19th century terracotta façade showcases the hotel’s rich heritage as a historic icon within the ever-evolving Leicester Square. Originally designed and built in the early French Renaissance style in 1898 by leading theatre designer Walter Emden, Victory House was previously known as Hôtel de l’Europe with a Parisian brasserie renowned as a popular dining spot in the West End.

Victory House, London Leicester Square – MGallery by SofitelVictory House, London Leicester Square is managed by Bespoke Hotels, owned by Criterion Capital and represents a new flagship for MGallery and its fifth property in the UK.

Michael North, Head of Hotels at Criterion Capital, commented on the opening: “We are proud to be working with Accor on our first hotel opening of the year. For this prime location, it was essential for us to partner with a brand that offered a strong global presence without sacrificing our objectives to create an original and innovative hotel experience. MGallery By Sofitel offers us the flexibility we needed to create memorable stays for our guests in a boutique environment. This opening is a significant strategic investment for Criterion Capital. We have a series of hotels scheduled to open in rapid succession across Prime Central London.”


Aiden McAuley, SVP Operations LUXE Europe at Accorhotels, said: “Victory House, London Leicester Square is the latest addition to the MGallery portfolio and a new flagship hotel for the brand. With its rich heritage and unparalleled views overlooking London’s cinematic hub, the property provides a unique offering in the heart of the West End and a cosy retreat in the buzz of the city. This year will also see the wider expansion of the brand with new openings in Europe and the Middle East.”

www.sofitel.com

Fairmont Quasar

Fairmont Quasar Istanbul now open

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Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Fairmont Quasar Istanbul, the luxury hotel company’s first property in Turkey.

Situated on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait and overlooking the waterway’s sapphire blue waters, the Fairmont Quasar Istanbul sits at a crossroads in Istanbul, where East meets West and modernity meets centuries of eclectic history. This idiosyncratic experience is reflected in the hotel’s design, with blue leather-tufted headboards calling to mind the Bosphorus; leather-bound and studded minibars inspired by vintage travel trunks; and ensuite showers designed to resemble traditional Turkish hammams.

Fairmont Quasar Istanbul provides 209 guestrooms including 25 suites. Each has a wide panoramic view overlooking either the serene Bosphorus or the city skyline. Rooms are designed to maximize comfort and technology, with stylish flair and extra touches, plenty of space and natural light. The Royal Suite offers guests unrivalled luxury, while forty exclusive Fairmont Gold rooms create a boutique feel with unparalleled service and access to exclusive services.

The hotel’s unique concept provides a new icon for the vibrant Mecidiyeköy district, where eclectic neighbourhood bazaars and colourful side streets meet modern shopping centres with contemporary architecture and design. Set on the site of the 1930’s Robert Mallet Stevens-designed Art Deco liquor factory, Fairmont Quasar blends a sense of urban culture and industrial flair with the city’s heritage of long-held customs and traditions.

Fairmont Quasar is the fifth property of parent company AccorHotels luxury brand portfolio within Istanbul, joining sister properties Raffles Istanbul, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Pullman Istanbul Airport and Convention Centre and The Elysium Istanbul MGallery by Sofitel. AccorHotels presently has 32 hotel and resort properties across Turkey, with an additional three hotels slated for opening in Istanbul in 2017, including Galata Hotel Istanbul MGallery by Sofitel.

Jo&Joe by Accor

AccorHotels launches Jo&Joe brand for millennials

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AccorHotels will be launching a new hospitality brand called JO&JOE. Its aim is to blend the best of private-rental, hostel and hotel formats to reinvent and provide a disruptive experience in terms of design approach, catering, service and the customer journey.

AccorHotels plans to expand rapidly by opening 50 venues by 2020, with locations including Paris and Bordeaux (2018) as well as Warsaw, Budapest, Rio and São Paulo.

Jo&Joe by Accor

Accorhotels has released visuals of the new design of the hotels, along with descriptions of what guests may expect. In general, Jo and Joe properties are described as “a vibrant living space, a home that is open to the external world and designed to meet the expectations of Millennials and all those who value sharing, spontaneity and experience”.

The design for the new hotels has been in collaboration with UK design company Penson (also known for flagship designs including campuses for Google, YouTube, Jaguar Land Rover and interiors of the world’s 5th tallest building, Lotte World Tower).

Jo&Joe by Accor

“Break with tradition, forget old habits, be surprising, authentic, unexpected, bring a breath of fresh air to AccorHotels. Do it quickly and do it well. It wasn’t an easy brief to put into practice, particularly when you’re primarily targeting Millennials, who can be very difficult to win over,” said Sebastien Bazin, CEO of AccorHotels.

“But with the launch of our new brand, JO&JOE, we have now more than met that challenge. I’m extremely proud of the work accomplished by the AccorHotels teams in mobilizing the energy necessary – both inside and outside the Group – to bring this enormous project to life. JO&JOE represents the very essence of hospitality: welcoming, exciting and beyond our guests’ expectations,” he added.

AccorHotels in Russia

Russia’s largest new hotel complex under AccorHotels management

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Russia’s largest new hotel complex, Novotel Adagio ibis Moscow Kievskaya by AccorHotels management, is located right in the heart of Moscow, alongside the Moscow River and in between major business and historic districts.

Hotels surrounded by modern architectural ensembles and legendary historical buildings such as The House of the Government of the Russian Federation, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Moscow Kievskaya railway station.

Russia's largest new hotel complex, Novotel Adagio ibis Moscow Kievskaya by AccorHotels management, is located right in the heart of Moscow

The complex consists of three well-known international hotel brands of various categories under one roof. Multifunctional shopping and hotel complex combines three hotels: Novotel Moscow Kievskaya with 202 rooms, Adagio Moscow Kievskaya with 149 rooms and ibis Moscow Kievskaya with 350 rooms.

Russia's largest new hotel complex, Novotel Adagio ibis Moscow Kievskaya by AccorHotels management, is located right in the heart of Moscow

Modern and stylish hotels offer the highest standards of international brands and a wide range of services: 24 hour room service, a cozy bar, two restaurants, a conference centre equipped with the latest technology and a wellness centre with a swimming pool.

Novotel Moscow Kievskaya
Adagio Moscow Kievskaya
ibis Moscow Kievskaya

Swissotel Bali

170-room Swissotel Bali to open in late 2017

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Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, a leading brand in the FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) portfolio, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with resort developer PT Bali Ragawisata to manage Swissotel Bali, a new 170-room resort scheduled to open in late 2017.

Situated on a striking cliff top in Bukit Pandawa, an expansive and upscale master-planned resort development, Swissotel Bali will enjoy an enviable location on the island, mere minutes from top attractions favoured by international jet-setters and a short drive from the Ngurah Rai (Denpasar) International Airport.

Designed by TONTON Studio, a leading design firm with extensive experience in high-end hotel development across Indonesia, the resort will offer scenic views of the Indian Ocean from stunning guestrooms featuring spacious outdoor balconies. Completing the guest experience will be a private beach club, four exquisite dining outlets including a spectacular bar, the brand’s signature Pürovel Spa & Sport, and 400 square metres (4,300 square feet) of indoor meeting space with outdoor function areas.

“This is an exciting new addition for the Swissotel brand and a perfect complement to our company’s growing portfolio of city and resort destinations throughout Asia and worldwide,” said Wayne Buckingham, senior vice president, Asia Pacific, FRHI Hotels & Resorts. “In keeping with Swissotel’s brand promise of promoting quality in life, the resort will offer a very inspiring atmosphere which will be bolstered with local attributes authentic to the locale. To be pairing an unbelievable resort product with the natural paradise that is Bali is nothing short of magic.”

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with FRHI on this new Swissotel resort project and look forward to working with them to create a truly world-class property,” said Djie Tjian An, PT. Bali Ragawisata. “Bali is a thriving holiday destination popular with travellers from all over the world who are looking for the ultimate mix of relaxation, adventure and cultural flair; Swissotel will deliver against this and more.”

Located between Java and Lombok, Bali is an island with a population of 3.9 million. It is one of Asia’s leading vacation hotspots and the largest tourist destination in the country, recording more international arrivals than Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. In addition to its world-famous beaches, Bali is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music.

Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its Swiss inspired hospitality, is extending its international reach with plans to open a number of new developments in the coming years. Projects are slated for China, India, Russia and Turkey as well as other exciting destinations globally.

http://www.swissotel.com/

Luang Prabang Sofitel

Sofitel: History, heritage and French hospitality in Laos

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Expansion in Asia continues with the launch of the latest flagship from Sofitel in the World heritage city of Luang Prabang in April. This century-year-old former governor’s mansion, protected by UNESCO, has now been restored to its full grandeur and majesty.

Heritage and modern comfort
Set in a lush tropical garden, the highly exclusive Sofitel Luang Prabang offers 25 clay-roofed suites, ranging from 46 to 120 square metres, each with a private garden, oversized bathtub or plunge pool.

Luang Prabang Sofitel
Shuttered windows, hand-carved poster bed frames and exquisite Lao artefacts create a sense of old-world nostalgia. Each room is furnished with the latest amenities such as flat-screen televisions, Wi-Fi and the signature plush Sofitel ‘MyBed’. The hotel also houses a gallery of Indochinese art and a magnificent library with one of Luang Prabang’s largest book collections.

“What guests will find most captivating at Sofitel Luang Prabang is the fusion that occurs on so many levels,” says General Manager Pablo Barruti. “Heritage is married with modern comfort. And the enduring tranquillity, both within the verdant gardens and just outside in the serene residential quarter, will appeal to guests in search of refuge in this age of sensory overload.”

Luang Prabang Sofitel
Serenity and relaxation

The beautiful SoSPA offers treatments blending ancient Lao healing techniques with local organic products and advanced skin care.

As part of the hotel’s sustainable development initiatives, the spa offers ‘Blind Massages’ by disabled therapists, slightly more vigorous and intense than usual due to their heightened senses. Guests can also opt for yoga and pilates classes, take a dip in the 25-metre mosaic-tiled pool, or work out on the TechnoGym at the Fitness Centre.

Luang Prabang Sofitel
The Governor’s Grill proposes a delicious blend of fine western gastronomy and authentic Lao specialities. Guests can dine indoors or al fresco in a colonial-style tent overlooking the garden. The hotel Concierge can also arrange lunch at the award-winning 3 Nagas Restaurant at its recently renovated sister property in the city, 3 Nagas, MGallery by Sofitel.

MGallery by Sofitel

AccorHotels’ MGallery expands to Paris, Rio de Janeiro

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AccorHotels has expanded the MGallery by Sofitel brand with the opening of Hotel Paris Bastille Boutet in the French capital’s 11th district near Le Marais, as well as Hotel Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro.

Hotel Paris Bastille Boutet, the first five-star hotel in Eastern Paris, located in the Bastille neighborhood, is housed in a building that was first a joinery workshop and then a chocolate factory known as “Maison Boutet,” according to the company. Vincent Bastie served as the project’s architect, while Astrid Dieterlen led the design.

An emphasis was placed on the renovation of mosaics and the Art Deco canopy. The building’s facade, dating back to 1926, was restored while its industrial heritage is seen in the lobby bar’s leather sofas and in the well-being area with its white and blue glazed tiles.

MGallery by Sofitel in ParisThe hotel has 80 guestrooms and suites. Paying homage to the hotel’s past as a place of craftsmanship, students from the École Boulle, an advanced public school of fine arts and crafts and applied arts, were selected to produce two signature suites, each with its own atmosphere. The 1,600-sq. ft., light-drenched Décléor Spa is dedicated to meditation and relaxation. The spa features an indoor pool with jets, steam room, sauna and two hydrotherapy showers.

Hotel Santa Teresa is the first MGallery by Sofitel in Brazil. According to Accor, the property showcases architecture preserved by the neo-modernist and eclectic colonial culture of Rio. The revitalisation of the surrounding neighborhood began a decade ago with the restoration of the hotel and helped to support sustainable and cultural tourism to the destination, according to the company.

MGallery by Sofitel in Rio de Janiero
The brand will continue its momentum with the openings of Palazzo Livorno MGallery by Sofitel in Italy’s Tuscany region this summer and Leicester Square MGallery by Sofitel in London is expected to open fall 2016.

Accor Hotels in Nanchang, China

AccorHotels announces triple opening in Nanchang, China

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AccorHotels has announce the opening of three new hotels under the Pullman, Novotel and Mercure branding with Wanda Group in Nanchang, as a key development of the Nanchang Wanda Cultural Tourism City.

Pullman, Novotel and Mercure Nanchang Wanda will form part of the biggest hotel cluster featuring 1,388 guest rooms, 4 restaurants, 3 bars and 1,310 square metres of banquet and meeting space including an 800-square-metre pillar-less ballroom in addition to wellness facilities. The three properties combined will offer the largest guest room inventory under the AcccorHotels Greater China portfolio.

“The opening of three hotels in a single day symbolises AccorHotels’ continuous growth and development in the Greater China region,” says Michel Molliet, Chief Operating Officer of AccorHotels Greater China. “This is our first and biggest hotel project in Central China,” he added.

– Pullman Nanchang Wanda has 403 guest rooms including 16 suites. The rooms feature a garden and lake view with distinctive signature touches under the Pullman brand.

– Novotel Nanchang Wanda offers all the brand’s customary multi-service facilities geared to the needs of business and leisure travellers. The 481 spacious, modular guest rooms include eight suites and a family suite.

– Mercure Nanchang Wanda features 504 modern-style guest-rooms. Like all Mercure hotels, this mid-scale property combines the strength of an international network with a strong quality commitment and a distinctive local heritage.

accorhotels.com

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort

AccorHotels reveals 2016 openings, future projects in Asia Pacific

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Last year AccorHotels opened more than 70 hotels across Asia Pacific, meaning the group launched at least one new hotel per week in the region. This year the group is on target to reach 700 hotels in APAC. Here are some of the most exciting recent and upcoming openings to entice travellers from all corners of the globe.

New hotels
SO SOFITEL HUA HIN, THAILAND
SO Sofitel Hua Hin offers an imaginative beachside escape for guests seeking a luxurious, playful retreat. Featuring private access to Cha-am Beach, it is located 2.5 hours’ drive from Bangkok. It acknowledges the growing market of travellers seeking a fun and design-led atmosphere with a distinct style and attitude. Hua Hin has long been a retreat for Thailand’s aristocracy and the resort blends a nostalgic sense of seaside charm with the trendiest design. Drawing inspiration from the ‘Evolution of Life’ guests will be surprised by animal statues hiding in the gardens and rooms that are either themed ‘So Arty’ or ‘So Nature’. The resort brings four innovative food and beverage outlets designed to spark the local scene including White Oven, the Hi-So rooftop bar and Beach Society, a lively lifestyle club which hosts amazing parties on a monthly basis. Other facilities include the SoSpa and SoFit as well as an adults-only solarium pool and a family-friendly SO pool. The So Ballroom is equipped with cutting-edge equipment and is perfect for company events or lavish weddings for up to 150 guests.

SO Sofitel Hua Hin
SOFITEL SINGAPORE SENTOSA RESORT & SPA, SINGAPORE
Located just ten minutes from the city centre and yet seemingly worlds away on Singapore’s ‘entertainment island’ the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa is set on 27 acres of tropical woodlands. The Sofitel features 215 spacious rooms and private villas, outstanding MICE facilities with 13 meeting rooms and two ballrooms, and the largest SO Spa in the world, with 20 treatment rooms, six outdoor spa pavilions, a float pool and Singapore’s only mud pool. The resort’s leisure facilities include two pools, tennis, volleyball and badminton courts. The Sofitel also offers some of Singapore’s best dining including the famous Il Lido at the Cliff, its signature Italian restaurant overlooking the sea and Kwee Zeen for amazing Sunday brunches and all-day dining. With a bold, elegant design themed around Paris’ Jardin du Luxembourg, the resort creates a sense of flow from inside and out for the perfect urban oasis.

Sofitel Singapore Sentosa
NOVOTEL MANILA ARANETA, PHILIPPINES
A new Novotel has opened in Araneta Centre, the premier lifestyle hub of Quezon City in the Philippines. The 24-storey hotel features 401 contemporary rooms, plus an executive sky lounge with 360-degree views of the city. The hotel is part of a massive development of the area, which is bustling with life and activities including weekend night markets, food festivals and street performances. Its vibrant décor and facilities contribute to the well-being of guests including an In Balance Wellness Centre with gym, spa and pool, a Gymboree kids’ area plus two new dining concepts – the Food Exchange Manila and Gourmet Bar by Novotel, which showcases organic and local produce. The hotel is a few steps away from the light rail and metro stations providing easy access to all the city’s best attractions. For meetings there is a 2500sqm landscaped outdoor garden area and a ballroom for up to 1200 guests.

ELEMENTS OF BYRON, MGALLERY BY SOFITEL, AUSTRALIA
Byron Bay’s first world-class beachfront resort, Elements of Byron, MGallery by Sofitel opened its doors in February 2016. Situated on 50 acres of rainforest and natural ponds and lakes, the $100 million resort boasts two kilometres of beach frontage and provides the perfect natural setting for relaxation, with just 94 villas. Three separate pavilions make up the central leisure facilities including a signature restaurant and lobby bar, poolside bar and kiosk, gym and five-suite garden spa. Weaving throughout the resort is a luxurious infinity lagoon pool area complete with sunken fire pit. The design of the resort references the four ecological systems in place in the area – rainforest, dunal, eucalypt and wetland, with specific native landscaping and furnishings as well as works by local artists to create a true sense of place. Along with conferencing facilities for up to 450 delegates, the resort features a range of dining options including Graze at Elements, Drift Bar and the Barefoot Bar and Kiosk, with another restaurant opening in the next few months, along with a private beach club.

Elements of Byron MGallery by Sofitel

PULLMAN & NOVOTEL NEW DELHI AEROCITY, INDIA
AccorHotels has opened a combined Pullman & Novotel New Delhi Aerocity project which adds 670 international-standard rooms at the gateway to India. The 270-room Pullman and 400-room Novotel are located in close proximity to Indira Ghandi International Airport and offer easy access to the prominent business hubs of Gurgaon and New Delhi. Set around a central garden and outdoor heated pool, guests can enjoy the facilities of both during their stay including a spa, with a wide range of Ayurverdic, Thai and Swedish treatments, plus a fully equipped health club and heated pool. The Pullman was launched as the brand’s 100th hotel globally and features a gorgeous design themed around a peacock, while the adjoining Novotel is one of the best examples of the brand’s classic blend of modernity, design, simplicity and efficiency.

Pullman Aerocity New Delhi
NOVOTEL PHU QUOC, VIETNAM
Located on one of the island’s most beautiful white-sand beaches, Novotel Phu Quoc offers an unforgettable resort experience with views of turquoise waters, lush vegetation and a wide-range of hotel amenities, eco- tourism activities and attractions for guests of all ages. The resort is conveniently located near Duong Dong town and close to many of the island’s top attractions, such as Sao beach, Ham Ninh fishing village and various pearl farms. There are 366 rooms including private pool villas and there is also 650 square metres of meeting and event space. Dining options include Food Exchange, featuring international a la carte and buffet and guests can also enjoy a selection of cocktails with spectacular views over the Gulf of Thailand from the resort’s Lounge Bar, Pool Bar and Beach Pool Bar. Leisure facilities including a fitness centre, two tennis courts, spa treatments, an outdoor pool, a separate kids’ pool and a kids club, make it an especially great retreat for families.

Upcoming hotels

SOFITEL CITY CENTRE SINGAPORE
The 222-room Sofitel Singapore City Centre will be part of the upcoming multi-billion dollar Tanjong Pagar Centre, which will redefine mixed use developments in Singapore. Located between historic Chinatown and the vibrant CBD, Tanjong Pagar Centre will feature Singapore’s tallest building at 290 metres, a prestigious residential and office tower, premier retail and event spaces and the luxury Sofitel hotel, all set around beautifully landscaped parklands and with direct MRT station access. Guests at Sofitel Singapore City Centre will appreciate the unique, state-of-the-art equipment and programmes offered at the Virgin Active gym, as well as a host of health and fitness-related public activities and events at Tanjong Pagar Centre’s Urban Park which can accommodate up to 2,000 people. The 150,000 sq ft Urban Park will be an ideal location to host public fitness events, such as Zumba and yoga, for the broader community, including hotel guests. Positioned as an ‘Integrated Vertical City,’ Tanjong Pagar Centre will provide a holistic, end-to-end hospitality service for hotel guests. Opening late 2016.

Sofitel City Centre Singapore
SOFITEL SYDNEY DARLING HARBOUR, AUSTRALIA
As the city’s newest conference and entertainment precinct gets ready to launch its multi-billion dollar transformation, the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour is set to open in 2017. The 35-storey luxury hotel will boast a rooftop pool with stunning views over the harbour city, several dining outlets and 600 beautifully appointed rooms. Darling Harbour will become the most vibrant entertainment hub in Sydney, just ten minutes from the central business district and providing easy access to Star City Casino, Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World plus the Chinese Garden of Friendship and National Maritime Museum. Opening 2017.

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
MERCURE DANANG BANA HILLS FRENCH VILLAGE, VIETNAM
Mercure Bana Hills French Village in Vietnam is truly a unique destination, perched atop a hill reached by a cable car that holds two World Records – for both the longest and highest non-stop single track cable car. The entire village is modelled on 19th century France. The hotel currently features 162 guest rooms with a second phase to finish mid-year, which will bring the total to 455, seven dining outlets, a spa, pool and fitness centre. Fantasy Park provides fun for the whole family and is themed around Jules Verne’s novels Journey to the Centre of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with lots of rides and games. There is also a separate Alpine Coaster which winds down the mountains in a stunning course and for more cultural pursuits there is the Linh Ung Pagoda, which is an impressive sight amongst the hills. Bana Hills is located 25 minutes outside of Danang and offers a great base for exploring nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as three golf courses, the Cham Ruins in MySon, Pagodas and Marble Mountain, as well as the charming town of Hoi An. Opening March 2016.

Danang French Hills Mercure

MERCURE MALDIVES KOODDOO RESORT, MALDIVES
The Maldives is renowned for being high-end and quite expensive, but the new Mercure Maldives Koodoo Resort is set to change that when it opens late 2016, offering visitors to this pristine paradise one of the best-value accommodation options in the area. The Mercure will open in the south of the Maldives in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, a spectacular lagoon teeming with colourful marine life and unmatched diving and snorkelling options. It will feature 68 villas (43 overwater), and will be built using local materials, bright colours and stylish furniture, with the interiors designed to reflect the Maldivian culture and the spirit of travel. It will be the only Maldives beach resort directly accessible by domestic plane, without the need of an additional speedboat journey. Facilities will include an all-day restaurant, lobby lounge, pool and pool bar, sunset bar, spa and gym as well as a range of watersports including a dive centre. AccorHotels is also developing a 120-villa Pullman Resort in the Maldives, which will open in 2018. Mercure opening late 2016.
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort