Pullman is the new branding for many upscale hotels in the Accor group.

A number of the now-Pullman-branded hotels were Mercure Grand hotels.
http://www.accor.com/gb/groupe/activ...es/pullman.asp

They are meant to be positioned slightly below Sofitel:
http://www.accor.com/gb/groupe/activ...hotellerie.asp