Accor to manage new Sofitel in Beijing

Accor has won the management contract to operate the Sofitel Wanda Beijing in the new Wanda Plaza urban development project that is set to change the face of Beijing's central business district. The Sofitel is scheduled to open in 2006.

Leading China property developer, the Dalian Wanda Group, appointed Accor to manage the 453-room hotel on Jianguo Street.

The Wanda Plaza Beijing development is one of the largest ever integrated urban development projects undertaken in Beijing, involving the re-development of 480,000sqm of prime land in Beijing's central business district. The project involves the construction of office towers, a major retail centre, restaurants, entertainment complexes, residential apartments, and the 5-star Sofitel Wanda Beijing hotel.

Sofitel Wanda Beijing will be built to the new national 'Platinum 5-star' hotel standard and will be an integral part of the Wanda Plaza development. The hotel and Plaza will be located near CCTV's Beijing bureau, Traders Centre, the Motorola Building, Hewlett Packard Building and will be home to the Time Warner office and a Walmart.

Accor Asia Pacific Chairman David Baffsky said Accor had been seeking a landmark hotel to launch the Sofitel brand in Beijing, and the Wanda Plaza development was ideal, as it will undoubtedly become Beijing's most prestigious and strategic business location.

"This is a very prestigious and historic moment for Accor and will showcase Sofitel in China. The fact that Accor was selected ahead of some of the world's other well-known hotel brands reflects the renown for quality and performance that Sofitel has developed over the last decade.

"Sofitel Wanda Beijing is part of the most comprehensive expansion of the Sofitel brand in the Asia Pacific, with our China network growing at the fastest rate in the region. We will have over 40 hotels in China by 2006, reflecting the importance Accor places on China in its global network."

The 453-room Sofitel Wanda Beijing will offer 50 long-stay apartments. There will also be four Sofitel Executive Floors with adjacent Sofitel Executive Lounge, a Sofitel Library and non-smoking floors.

The Sofitel will have five restaurants, a bar lounge, a 1,400sqm ballroom divisible into three parts and 20 meeting rooms, business centre, swimming pool, fitness centre and a Spa and Wellness centre.

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