A new Sofitel hotel in Essaouira is opening its doors in March. Associated to designer and architectural references, Sofitel maintains its desire to offer different hotels with one goal: decline French Elegance on an international level.

The new Resort Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa is set on the seafront in the heart of a natural paradise, steps from the Medina. 600 forested hectares, a stunning wild beach, a golf course designed by Gary Player... Come and discover the 147 rooms and suites with a terrace or furnished balcony, you can gaze at a unique panorama over the golf course and ocean. The 28 villas offer 133 m� of comfort, each with an infinity pool and private garden.

Despite the current unrest in Bahrain, the five-star Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa held its official soft opening on Monday.

The 262-room hotel features a 1,100sqm Grand Ballroom which can host up to 840 delegates for a separated entrance seated event, along with a 270sqm foyer including a 47sqm private Majlis, and a 210sqm pre-function area. It is due to be fully operational by mid-May.

The hotel features a 2,000sqm Thalassotherapy Spa, which focuses on the medical use of seawater for therapeutic ends.

The property bills itself as an exclusive resort that's close to the Bahrain International F1 Circuit, which had been due to stage the season-opening Grand Prix on March 13, but has now been cancelled.

Accor will launch the first UK property under its MGallery brand when London’s St Ermin’s hotel reopens next month.

The France-based hotel group has signed an affiliation deal with the new US owner of St Ermin’s, Amerimar Enterprises. The London property, which is housed in a Grade II Listed Victorian building close to St James’s Park station, is undergoing a �30 million revamp to re-launch as a four-star deluxe hotel in mid-April -....

Accor launched MGallery in 2008 and describes it as “a collection of upscale hotels notable for their personalities” (see online news August 29, 2008). There are more than 30 properties under the marque in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

Jean-Jacques Dessors, chief operating officer of Accor UK and Ireland, said in a statement that the move “underlined Accor’s ambitious plans to open 300 hotels by 2015 in the UK as well as increasing its upscale offering in London”.

It means that members of Accor's AClub loyalty scheme will have another choice of London hotel for earning and redeeming points. The group already has the luxury Sofitel London St James in the capital, as well as a range of properties in its budget and mid-range categories.

Jon Cummins, chief operating officer of Amerimar, told Business Traveller: “MGallery was very interested in the [St Ermin’s] project and made it clear that it was something it wanted in its family. We think it’s a really good fit because it enables us to maintain our identity and at the same time brings us into the strongest distribution channel in Europe.”

Like the other MGallery hotels, St Ermin’s will retain its own name rather than being fully branded as an MGallery property.

Cummins added: “Accor as a family of brands does not have a particularly large presence in London vis-�-vis the size of its system, and that’s really why it was particularly excited to bring us on board, because it has unsatisfied demand there. It enabled Accor to bring on a high-quality asset that complemented well with its other London properties, particularly the Sofitel.”

Positioning-wise, Cummins said St Ermin’s would sit “half a step below” the Sofitel St James.

FRASER Island�s Kingfisher Bay Resort is set to join the prestigious Accor Hotel chain.

From May the tourist hot spot will be known as Mercure Kingfisher Bay Resort Fraser Island.

Only the hotel rooms are included under the franchise agreement, meaning the villas, houses and wilderness resorts will remain Kingfisher Group branded.

General manager Gary Smith said the decision to team up with Accor allowed the resort to access the chain�s global branch reach and buying power and was sure to make it more visible in an increasingly competitive market.

He also said it was a welcome boost for the tourism industry and its operators who had faced tough challenges during the past few years and could expect more to follow in the coming months.

�We are tapping into the global distribution power of one of the biggest hotel brands � but doing so in a way which allows us to maintain the unique character of the resort and the expertise of our local staff,� he said.

�It has become increasingly difficult for stand alone properties to cut through in the international and domestic leisure markets.

�This is an exciting time for us and the region and we look forward to joining the Accor family.�

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Two deluxe resorts join the MGallery Collection of unique hotels in Chiang Mai and Hua Hin

These two properties take the number of MGallery properties in Thailand to three, suggesting that more travelers to the country are seeking out unique experiences

MGallery is proud to announce the addition of two distinctive resorts to the collection of unique hotels in Thailand � Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai and Veranda Resort & Spa Hua Hin-Cha Am.
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Conveniently situated, All Seasons Stuttgart will open its door on April 1st 2011. Enjoy the savoury breakfast and fast Wi‐fi!

China: Pullman announces opening in the heart of the �Forgotten Kingdom�

The Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa, located in China�s southwestern Yunnan Province, boasts 79 villas and 51 deluxe room. It is the brand�s fourth resort in the country, with two in Sanya and another in Zhangjiajie.


Nestled in the heart of nature
The resort is located next to Shuhe Ancient Town, just minutes away from downtown Lijiang as well as Dayan Ancient Town, a UNESCO world heritage site.

Nestled in the heart of nature, the site is surrounded by lush gardens with adjacent canals. The villas themselves have their own interior gardens, some with a Jacuzzi. From the resort, guests can enjoy an uninterrupted view of stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

The architecture, inspired by the local Naxi ethnic minority, blends perfectly with contemporary Chinese elements in its interior design.

A la carte
Dining options at the resort�s five restaurants will pamper even the most discerning palates.
The �Xi Western� restaurant offers international cuisine, whereas the �Zun Chinese� restaurant serves Naxi-inspired Chow Chou cuisine. Nature lovers will prefer the �1919 Bar � with its spectacular panoramic view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The �MIST Lobby Lounge and Bar� is the right place for those seeking a casual, relaxing atmosphere and the �Tian Lu Library� will be the first choice for culture lovers to devour a novel while enjoying a cup of tea.

Co-Meeting
Featuring five multi-function meeting rooms and a 333-square-metre reception room, the Pullman Lijiang Resort is the ideal meeting place for conferences. In addition to state-of-the-art audio and visual facilities, complimentary WiFi access and �Chill Out� space for delegates, the resort provides numerous original services such as organising themed events and with innovative breaks to punctuate meetings.

Spa & Fitness
To recharge their batteries, guests can take advantage of the Mandara Spa � an oasis of relaxation � or exercise at the fitness centre. Two international golf courses are also within each reach of the resort.

Suite Novotel opens its first hotel in Spain

Malaga is a city of art and a major tourist destination in Andalusia, located in the south of Spain, which has enjoyed ongoing development in recent years. Suite Novotel has just opened its first hotel in Spain in the heart of Malaga�s historic city centre, a few cable lengths from the liveliest districts.

The hotel is ideally situated, just a few steps from Plaza de la Constitution, the Picasso Museum (the painter was a native of Malaga) and the cathedral, allowing the brand new Suite Novotel Malaga, equipped with the new Suite, to attract customers planning on medium-length stays.

Dynamic growth
Contrary to traditional hotel concepts, the brand offers guests an unusual experience, inviting them to appropriate the spaces that make up each of its hotels. With fully modular, 30-square-metre Suites, the hotel lends itself to relaxation as well as work in a subtle blend of elegance, design and functionality.

The Suite Novotel network has been especially innovative in its field, multiplying the services offered to guests (original foodservices, fitness centres, vehicle hire, multimedia packages, etc.). With 28 hotels in 8 countries, the brand is pursuing its dynamic growth, particularly in the centre of large European cities. Next September, the brand will be opening its eighth hotel in the Paris area: le Suite Novotel Paris Issy-Les-Moulineaux.

Cairns Colonial Club Joins Accor Hotel Group

The hotel will be marketed as part of Accor�s All Seasons brand, to become the All Seasons Cairns Colonial Club, and will be the largest All Seasons hotel for the brand worldwide.

All Seasons has been a prominent part of the Australian hotel sector for some 30 years, with a particularly strong presence in regional and remote Australia. The All Seasons brand is operated by Accor, the largest hotel operator in Australia and Queensland specifically.

The All Seasons Cairns Colonial Club is the first new hotel addition in Far North Queensland since 2009 when it welcomed its original All Seasons branded hotel � the All Seasons Cairns. Other All Seasons hotels in the region include the All Seasons Magnetic Island and All Seasons Stradbroke Island in the states south.

The signing comes at a time when tourism to Tropical North Queensland is in the spotlight, with local operators set to benefit from private sector investment, local and state Tourism Authority initiatives to drive business back to the region post Cyclone Yasi in Cairns.

�We are extremely pleased to be associated with Accor,� said Peter Blackburn, General Manager of the All Seasons Cairns Colonial Club. �I�m sure that Accor, with its strong, well-known brands, will help us grow and prosper in the future.�

Accor�s General Manager Franchise Hotels, Dino Mezzatesta, says the property is a great strategic addition to the national All Seasons network.

Set within 11 acres (4.5 hectares) of award-winning, lush, tropical gardens, the All Seasons Cairns Colonial Club evokes the tranquility of the North Queensland rainforest and combines tropical resort features with the advantages of a mainstream hotel

Accommodation includes 345 comfortable and spacious rooms and suites, offering guests an excellent range of holiday accommodation to choose from. The hotel also boasts a choice of three lagoon-style pools, two restaurants, and two bars.

The All Seasons Cairns Colonial Club offers business events guests� access to a fully equipped meetings facility called the Conference Centre, which can house conferences, banquets, weddings and functions for up to 650 people.

A stand-alone heritage building in charming Queenslander-style, the Conference Centre features five meeting rooms and opens out to a peaceful garden and gazebo recreation area.

The All Seasons Cairns Colonial Club will be available for bookings from the beginning of May

For its first location in the Central Asian Republic of Turkmenistan, Sofitel chose the capital city of Ashgabat. With a booming economy based on extensive resources of oil and natural gas, plus the vibrant local cotton industry, the city is a modern oasis amid the desert of Karakum.

The unabashed modernity of the glistening white marble and glass fa�ade of the Sofitel Ashgabat Oguzkent reflects the vibrant state of the young nation of Turkmenistan.

Of the hotel’s 299 rooms, 48 are suites. Each bears a name redolent of the country’s history, and all are generously spacious in design: 10 Junior Suites of 105 m2, 24 Prestige Suites of 160 m2 and 14 Presidential Suites of 325 m2.

This level of comfort is maintained by an array of services combining Turkmen traditions with modern amenities. No less than 1000 m2 of space is given over to a health and fitness spa complex: one indoor swimming pool, two outdoor pools, 12 massage rooms, 2 saunas and 2 hammams. Guests also enjoy the use of a fitness room and its state-of-the-art equipment.

A negotiation room measuring over 800 m2 and capable of hosting up to thirty delegations is equipped with microphones, video conferencing and transmission facilities and interpreting booths, offering leading edge technology for any kind of meeting.

Lastly, for events with attendances ranging from 10 to 1000, the hotel has a 2500 m2 conference centre whose facilities and service arrangements can be customized to meet a range of needs....

President of Turkmenistan attends ceremony of opening Oguzkent Hotel

Friday, 15 October 2010 05:00

The ceremony of opening the Oguzkent Hotel, the high class and a wide range of possibilities of receiving high-level guests was to highlight the international status of Ashgabat as a hotspot of political, diplomatic, economic, business activity, took place in the Turkmen capital on the eve of the 19th anniversary of independence. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov attended the ceremony of opening the new fashionable hotel, the largest elite hotel complex in the Central Asian region.
The ceremony of opening the Oguzkent Hotel, the high class and a wide range of possibilities of receiving high-level guests was to highlight the international status of Ashgabat as a hotspot of political, diplomatic, economic, business activity, took place in the Turkmen capital on the eve of the 19th anniversary of independence.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov attended the ceremony of opening the new fashionable hotel, the largest elite hotel complex in the Central Asian region. It should be noted that the Turkmen leader had paid unremitting attention to the construction of the new hotel, which from the very beginning had gained the high status of an important element of infrastructure of the dynamically developing industry of hospitality in the country. Henceforth, Oguzkent will rank among landmarks of the capital, a monumental and bright symbol of the open door policy pursued by the Turkmen leader that has earned our state high respect, confidence and prestige all over the world.
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered together on Neutrality Avenue, one of the central streets of Ashgabat, where the magnificent building of the new hotel had sprung up.
The cabinet ministers, the heads of ministries and departments, the Mejlis, diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan and offices of international organisations, foreign businessmen, the elders and students participated in the opening ceremony.
Dance groups and popular singers of Turkmenistan presented a bright music performance on the square in front of the building. National melodies were heard everywhere on the area decorated with flags, garlands and balloons.
It is symbolic that the opening of the Oguzkent Hotel, the name of which is translated as the country of the Oguz, coincided with the international conference Oguznama as a Historical and Cultural Source being conducted in Ashgabat in those days. All this illustrate that it is the epoch of new Revival and great reforms when the Turkmen people have enhanced historic fame of the Oguz across over the world.
To the applause of ceremony participants and guests, the President entered the hotel building. The Turkmen leader shook hands with foreign diplomats, top managers of the Bouygues Company, which had implemented this project. A musical and theatrical show reproducing the legend about Oguz Khan and his sons in lively images was presented at the entrance to the building.
President of Turkmenistan cut the symbolic ribbon. The President presented the keys to a luxury car to the Oguzkent Hotel, which henceforth would have a special place in the car park of the hotel.
In the foyer girls dressed in national costumes presented wonderful flowers to the Turkmen leader. The baton of the musical show, which created a festive atmosphere of the ceremony, was picked up by the orchestra of the Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting of Turkmenistan, who performed the works of national and world classic composers.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov accompanied by cabinet members, foreign diplomats made an excursion around the Oguzkent Hotel.
The five-star hotel worth 270 million euros is an ultramodern hotel complex designed to receive high-ranking guests and to host large-scale international forums. The majestic building combines latest achievements in architecture, the best traditions of the national art of building and ensures seismic safety. The total area of buildings is 95,200 square metres. The adjacent territory covers 70,000 square metres. The height of the building facade, including the upper floor for a restaurant with a panoramic view, is 67 meters above the entrance.
The building of the five-star hotel has two wings as if widely opened from the central atrium. There are 299 rooms, 14 of them are President-class. There is a separate room for the President of Turkmenistan. Also, there is a helipad on the roof of the building designed in accordance with international requirements set to facilities of this kind. The complex comprises the Conference Centre with assembly halls and multi-purpose premises.
The President began the excursion around the building with central atrium, the main decoration of which was bas-reliefs that aroused keen interest of the Turkmen leader.
These bas-reliefs are a narration about five-thousand-year way of the Turkmen people, five epochs of the history of the Turkmen people. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov told about the meaning of the symbols depicted on the bas-reliefs, the events of bygone epochs and national heroes the guests accompanying him.
Then the President visited a bar located on the ground floor, where Turkmen national sweets and fruits were offered to ceremony participants and guests.
There is a spa treatment room supplied with ultramodern equipment and excellent facilities. Then the Turkmen leader visited deluxe suites and the President’s Ahalteke suite, which had exquisitely furnished lobby, lounge, study, rooms for negotiations located on the 9th floor of the building.
Then the President visited a restaurant on the 14th floor, which had the splendid view of the Turkmen capital. In the restaurant guests, who could enjoy the excellent quality of local food, had delicious Turkmen meal.
Then the President of Turkmenistan held the meetings and talks with the delegation consisting of ministers of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the top managers of Bouygues, Chairman and CEO Martin Bouygues and CEO of Bouygues Batiment International Olivier-Marie Racine.

Greeting the guests, the Turkmen leader noted that the Turkmen proverb said that a good neighbour or dear guest must be the first to enter a new house. “Maintaining our traditions of hospitality and cordiality over centuries and handing them down from generation to generation”, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, “we fill them with a new content, enrich them with a new meaning. This is illustrated by the luxury Oguzkent Hotel opened today, which should embody hospitality of the Turkmen people, the national spirit of friendliness and good neighbourliness, our openness to the world and willingness to cooperate with all countries interested.”

Upon concluding the meetings and talks the President bade farewell heartily to ceremony participants and guests and left the territory of the hotel.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH)

ibis: Taking a First Step in Nigeria

First hotel of the brand in Nigeria, ibis Lagos Airport opened its doors on April 17, 2011.
Offering 199 rooms, it meets accommodation demands of travelers seeking both relatively low rates and international quality standards.

The hotel has the advantage of a strategic location at only 5 minutes from the international and national airport, and it offers its customers many services, such as Internet access in the rooms and in public areas, a �Web corner,� and three conference rooms for business meetings. For their moments of leisure, guests will also be able to enjoy a buffet of traditional and international cuisine at the restaurant, a fitness area, and an outside swimming pool.

Lagos
Nigeria�s former capital, Lagos is the largest city in the country and one of the country�s main business and industrial hubs. Its original site was constituted by a series of islands, the island of Lagos in particular, located on the coast of the Gulf of Benin.

MGallery in Italy: an oasis of nature in the Mediterranean

The Capovaticano Resort Thalasso & Spa is opening in the heart of Calabria in southern Italy.

The latest newcomer to the MGallery collection, the hotel is located in a breathtakingly scenic natural setting.

Protected by an imposing rocky promontory, the Capovaticano Resort Thalasso & Spa faces the Eolian Islands and the Stromboli volcano. Built on one of the loveliest beaches of the Tyrrhenian coast, the new address promises magical moments in a setting in harmony with nature.
With a sophisticated d�cor, the hotel�s 112 rooms and 9 Suites are characterised by their contemporary, minimalist architecture. They are designed to give each guest a private space to rest and recharge their batteries in a haven of peace and tranquillity. The experience is enhanced by the spa at the Institut Thalassa Sea&Spa, where a wide selection of treatments is available: heated pools, whirlpool tubs, massage cabins, shiatsu, etc.

A balance of flavours

Food lovers will be delighted with the hotel�s dining choices between the �Il Mantineo� restaurant with its sophisticated seafood menu and the �Stromboli Beach Bar & Ristorante� at the water�s edge, offering light, flavourful cuisine prepared by the chef under the eyes of gourmet patrons.

May 24, 2011 � Bangkok � all seasons, Accor�s non-standardised economy brand, announces the opening of all seasons Bangkok Victory Monument, the 5th all seasons hotel in Bangkok and the eighth in Thailand. This newly built hotel promises comfortable, trendy accommodation where guests can relax and enjoy their stay near one of Bangkok�s most famous landmarks � Victory Monument.

Located only a 2-minute walk from the BTS Skytrain Station Sanam Pao, the hotel is situated between two major shopping areas: Siam Square (where Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery and Siam Center are located) and Chatuchak Market � Bangkok�s famous weekend market.

Daniel Koeppel, General Manager of all seasons Bangkok Victory Monument says �all seasons Bangkok Victory Monument offers an affordable option for those who want to stay near all the action in Bangkok. This hotel provides excellent value for money and is set in an outstanding location with easy access to city�s vital business areas and several popular tourist spots. We are confident the international-standard accommodation and the friendly services will fit both the needs of business and leisure travellers.�

All seasons is Accor�s economy hotel brand that offers an all-inclusive package including the room, all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast and internet access. �This hotel, situated in the heart of the city, has its own personality which reflects the colourful and bright brand spirit with a splash of Bangkok�s vibrant energy,� says Mr. Daniel Koeppel.

All seasons Bangkok Victory Monument has 162 efficiently-designed and cosy guestrooms, each of which includes a 24-inch LCD screen cable TV, Wi-Fi internet connection included in the room rate, safety deposit box, and other international standard amenities. The hotel has a contemporary feel with a light and breezy d�cor that will soothe all visiting guests, ensuring efficiency and comfort during their stay.

The facilities also include abundant parking spaces, 24-hour security, laundry and ironing services, a 15-metre swimming pool, a fully-equipped fitness centre and access for the disabled throughout the hotel.

Equipped with state-of-the-art flat screen TVs and data projectors, all seasons Bangkok Victory Monument�s flexible meeting rooms can accommodate small-to-medium meetings and private functions and are ready to support up to 100 participants.

Apart from the trendy signature �Touch of Lime� restaurant that serves regional and international dishes in a casual, yet friendly atmosphere, the hotel also features the �V-Bar�, a funky lobby lounge adjacent to the lobby that serves a fun selection of cocktails, beers and wine.

All seasons Bangkok Victory Monument starting rates for corporate guests:
THB 1,200 ++ per room, including WIFI internet access and all-you-can-eat breakfast.

For more information about the hotel and guest rate offers, please visit www.allseasonsvictorymonument.com .

Tainui launches pioneering hotel at Auckland Airport

New Zealand�s �most strategic hotel of the 21st century� opened by the Maori King and

New Zealand Prime Minister just over 100 days from the kick-off of the Rugby World Cup

Novotel Auckland Airport was officially opened today by Kiingi Tuheitia and New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, in a traditional dawn ceremony. The launch of the innovative hotel � just 50 metres from the international terminal � comes just over 100 days from the kick-off of the World Cup, and will provide a huge confidence boost to New Zealand tourism after the devastating Christchurch earthquake earlier this year.

One of New Zealand�s most significant new tourism assets

The $65 million hotel project has been developed by a joint venture comprising one one of New Zealand�s largest Maori commercial entitities, Tainui Group Holdings, Auckland Airport and Accor, who operate the hotel.

Auckland Airport handles over 13 million passengers annually, projected to grow to 24 million by 2025, with more than 70% of all international visitors to New Zealand arriving or departing from Auckland. That figure is expected to grow substantially, making the opening of the Novotel highly strategic for the country�s short-term and long-term tourism needs.

A contemporary, stylish hotel that pays homage to New Zealand�s heritage and traditional culture

�For the majority of visitors to New Zealand, the Novotel is the first and last impression they have of the country, so the design of the Novotel has been infused with subtle references to New Zealand�s natural environment, culture, art and heritage,� says Tainui Group Holdings� CEO and Chairman of Tainui Auckland Airport Hotel, Mike Pohio. �We believe it will be a showcase for the best New Zealand has to offer,

�Part of the New Zealand experience is the close encounter with nature, so the hotel has been surrounded with distinctive indigenous plants, including Pohutakawa trees, while the triangular architectural features of the building are designed to reflect the bows of traditional Maori �waka� canoes.�

There is a distinct green theme in the hotel�s lobby where guests are greeted by a �living wall� of indigenous plants that are nurtured by a hydroponic system. All the timbers used in the Novotel are 100% FSC-accredited Southland maple beech, which are harvested on a sustainably-managed basis, and are part of the hotel�s commitment to become a fully certified Earthcheck (formerly Green Globe) hotel. Major effort has also been made to reduce energy and water usage in the hotel�s daily operations.

The design of the hotel has been undertaken by leading New Zealand architect and designer, Warren & Mahoney. Some of New Zealand�s most promising designers and artists have been commissioned to work on the hotel�s fit-out, and the locally-produced items range from a vast, self-supporting spiral steel staircase in the lobby to a Maori patterned �Patiki� screen in the restaurant, designed to represent abundance and �manaakitanga� (caring for people).

While paying homage to the past and to Maori heritage, the Novotel is also very much a reflection of contemporary New Zealand, with the latest in communication technologies, including full arrival and departure monitors in the lobby to ensure that guests are kept fully informed of the latest plane movements.

Auckland Airport chief executive Simon Moutter said, �The opening of the Novotel marks a very significant day for Auckland Airport. We see this as a key element of our growth strategy to help drive New Zealand travel, tourism and trade. This beautiful new hotel will be a key part of Auckland Airport�s future.�

A room that features the latest interior design trends and anticipates new ones
Novotel Auckland Airport is the first hotel in the Pacific region to have Novotel�s new NEXT concept room. The room has been designed to give a maximum impression of spaciousness and freedom of movement. The bathroom is a key design feature and marks a significant shift from traditional hotel rooms. It is separated from the rest of the room by a transparent glass partition that can be covered by an internal privacy screen.

Windows are larger than standard and are double glazed so that there is no noise even from an Airbus A380 taking off. The lighting systems provide light where guests most need it. The bed is one of the new room�s fundamental and most striking features and central to all guest activities: sleeping, working or reading. The bed is raised and framed by an upholstered headboard that follows the contours of the back perfectly, while providing another opportunity for New Zealand theming, images of the graceful, undulating indigenous toi toi grasses


�We offer the most innovative connectivity with a proper working desk and communications panel that can help convert a room into a mobile office,� says General Manager, Paul Columbus. �We will also eventually be able to introduce room access via mobile phone � the first in New Zealand � so that a guest will be able to get off the plane and go straight into their room.

�A key to an airport hotel is its flexibility. Hence our 263 rooms offer everything from deluxe suites to superbly designed accessible rooms, which have been designed in consultation with experts rather than being just after-thoughts

�Fitness is an important part of an airport hotel experience, so our in-Balance Fitness gym has the most sophisticated equipment and we will also have special facilities for airline crews."

A comprehensive meetings hub

A major feature of the hotel is its conference centre, with 12 meeting and board rooms, capable of hosting conferences for up to 315 delegates theatre style. The conference centre is supported by a business centre. The launch of the Novotel�s conference centre will help Auckland Airport become a new hub for business meetings in the Pacific.

An international restaurant offering the finest in local cuisine and wines

The Square restaurant offers all-day dining, with a menu featuring the finest in local produce. The Novotel is just a short drive from one of New Zealand�s most famous vineyards, Villa Maria, and the wine list contains many Auckland-based premium wines.. There is also a separate private dining area for small groups.

Paris, June 28th, 2011 � Sofitel Luxury Hotels announces the opening of its first address in Guangzhou (formerly Canton, in southern China) with the Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich, thereby increasing its network to 20 addresses in the country.

Ideally located in the heart of Tianhe, Guangzhou�s most dynamic financial and business district, the Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich is less than one kilometer from the emblematic skyscraper CITIC Plaza and a few minutes from the East Railway Station, a veritable hub that connects Guangzhou to Dongguan, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

�Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich is going to breathe a little of the unique French culture into Guangzhou. The goal of this address is to become the meeting place for the city�s cultural events and especially through all forms of Art,� declared Robert Gaymer-Jones, CEO Sofitel Worldwide.
The hotel offers 493 rooms and suites, whose decor elegantly blends contemporary Asian design and Parisian chic. All rooms overhang the characteristic skyline of the Tianhe district. Everyone is pampered right into their dreams in the exclusive softness of the MyBedTM bedding signed Sofitel.

Among the five bars and restaurants, the fine dining-restaurant �Robata Grill & Bar�, which combines a classy steakhouse with modern Japanese Izakaya, features an authentic Robatayaki, a sushi bar with en extensive elegant walk-through wine cellar. �Le Chinois� highlights famous Cantonese gastronomy and the �8 Faubourg� reproduces around an elegant bar the décor typical of a Parisian apartment. The �Mar-Tea-Ni� lounge bar is the inescapable place to savor fine French pastries accompanied by rare teas suggested by a Tea sommelier. Like this, Sofitel creates a link between French culture and Chinese culture, a value dear to the brand..........