Sofitel’s Rendez-vous in 2010
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Sofitel’s Rendez-vous in 2010
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Category: Worldwide
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2010-05-18
It has been nearly three years since Sofitel began its move upscale, which has already generated significant results. 2009 saw the arrival of beautiful projects like the first Sofitel Legend address at the Métropole in Hanoi, the launch of the So SPA concept at the Sofitel London Saint James and the Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port, plus several renovations (London, Paris, Munich, Marrakech, Marseille, etc.).
In 2010 Sofitel continues its strategy with a rich program of topical events. The brand will launch the second “Sofitel Legend” address, open 10 hotels and plan vast renovation projects to ensure the new 130-hotel network is coherent. Finally, several cultural and gastronomic events are planned to support and show off the brand throughout the year, with a constant determination to build a link between the cultures, hotels, countries, continents, etc.
A new “Sofitel Legend” address: The Grand in Amsterdam
Reconsidered and renovated by the famous designer Sybille de Margerie, the Sofitel The Grand Amsterdam will become at the end of the summer the second address in the world in the Sofitel Legend collection and the first in Europe, after the Sofitel Legend Métropole Hanoi in 2009. This former convent from 1578 became a hotel in 1987 after having been the city’s town hall for nearly two centuries. A witness of Amsterdam’s major events, like the marriage of Queen Beatrix, this address is an integral part of the city, its history and its culture.
Created by Sofitel Luxury Hotels, this prestigious label groups often historically classified buildings and mythical locations steeped in history, that by themselves are destinations in the city or country that serves as their setting.
Openings
• Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses - Open
Entirely decorated by the famous designer Didier Gomez, the Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses is the brand’s new flagship in Morocco (6 hotels in the country). Located in the heart of the Moroccan capital, just a few minutes from the Royal Palace, this new address has 229 rooms, including 37 suites, 3 restaurants and a magnificent 1200 sq.m. So SPA with exclusive treatments in partnership with Cinq Mondes and Clarins.
• Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom (Austria) - November
For Sofitel’s first address in Austria, Jean Nouvel has designed an incredible building along the Danube canal. This address is resolutely contemporary and avant-garde with a color for each façade, black, white or gray rooms, luminous ceilings created by the Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist and a vertical garden wall by Patrick Blanc. The hotel will offer 182 rooms, including 26 suites and an 850 sq.m. So SPA. Antoine Westermann, a 3-star Michelin Chef, will be the consultant for the panoramic restaurant on the 18th floor.
• Sofitel So Mauritius (Mauritius) - December
With a design signed by the Thai Lek Bunnag and artistic direction provided by Kenzo Takada, the Sofitel So Mauritius will be a resolutely contemporary address that only offers suites: 84 suites of 60 square meters. 4 Beach suites of 100 square meters and 2 Beaulieu villas of 268 square meters each. It is exceptionally located in the wilder and less known southern part of the island. It is new eco-chic resort approach for a total immersion in nature. The 3-star Michelin chef Frédéric Anton will offer an exclusive concept that is in perfect harmony with this new hotel’s positioning.
• Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach (United Arab Emirates) – Soft-Opening
The brand is opening its first hotel in the United Arab Emirates, in the heart of the Dubai Marina: located on the sea, all rooms are equipped with a private balcony with an unobstructed view of the Persian Gulf and direct access to “The Walk,” the famous seaside esplanade. The hotel has 438 rooms, including 27 Sofitel suites, 12 Prestige suites and 1 Imperial suite, a French restaurant, a gastronomic Italian restaurant, an Irish Pub and several adjustable areas for meetings or events.
• Sofitel Al Khobar The Corniche (Saudi Arabia) - Open
Located on the esplanade in the city of Al Khobar, the Saudi Arabian economic center on the country’s East coast, the hotel offers a unique view of the Arabian Gulf. The 198 rooms and 31 suites, like the hotel’s general design, are signed by the Dubai agency, Wa International. Soft colors, oriental perfumes, light and open spaces… the contemporary décor features simple lines for refined and spacious living areas.
• Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa (Morocco) – End of year
The new tourist station is just a few kilometers from the current Essaouira and of course benefits from the existing natural assets like the continuous sunshine, long fine sand beaches bathed by an ocean that is a natural for nautical sports. Facing the ocean, the two 18-hole golf courses designed by the American Gary Player will delight amateurs and experienced golfers alike. In the heart of these grand spaces, the Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa will offer an unforgettable getaway that can be discovered beginning in September 2010.
• Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq by Thalassa Sea & Spa (Bahrain) – End of year
This address will be Sofitel’s first in the Kingdom of Bahrain (Gulf) and the first Thalasso address in the region. The hotel will offer 263 rooms, including 17 suites, several restaurants and bars, plus an area dedicated to thalasso therapy.
And in Asia:
• Sofitel Dongguan Humen Oriental (Open) and Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich (China) – End of the year
With an existing network of 23 hotels, the brand strengthens its presence in China with these two openings. The Sofitel Dongguan Humen Oriental and Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich will offer respectively 443 rooms, including 85 suites, and 496 rooms, including 46 suites. Plus for both addresses: a covered swimming pool, a So SPA, a So FIT, various restaurants and bars, and several areas dedicated to meetings and events.
• Sofitel Phnom Penh Royal (Cambodia) – End of year
With the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort, this hotel will be the brand’s second hotel in Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Bassac River, close to the business district and embassies, the Sofitel Phnom Penh Royal will be equipped with 201 rooms, including 35 suites, 7 restaurants and bars, a So SPA, a So FIT, a ballroom and meeting rooms.
• Sofitel Mumbai Bandra Kurla (India) – End of year
The brand’s first address in India, the Sofitel Mumbai Bandra Kurla will be located in the city’s financial district. The contemporary décor will combine French elegance and Indian inspiration. The hotel will have 302 rooms, including 31 suites, 5 restaurants and bars, a So SPA, a So FIT, and ballroom and several meeting rooms.
Vast renovations
Sofitel Munich Bayerpost (Germany) – After two and a half years of extensive renovations, the Sofitel Bayerpost Munich unveils its 10 largest suites. Harald Klein, who is responsible for this 835 square meters renovation, designed each suite according to a precise theme that is reflected in the choice of colors, materials, furnishings, pictures and decorative objects. Through their unique atmospheres, each suite tells a story and stimulates the imagination. 10 suites, 10 ambiences and 10 trips… Discover the Oyster apartment, or the Perle, Atelier, Les Fleurs du Mal or Sheherazade suites without forgetting the duplexes with 70s or New York loft references.
Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg (France) – In May this emblematic address will show off its 21 new suites and its refurbished colors created by the famous designer Didier Gomez, chosen by Sofitel for this vast renovation project. Since the hotel is located amidst the most symbolic signatures of Haute Couture, the corridors will pay homage to fashion through a series of photographs signed by the biggest names. For the suites’ interior décor, Didier Gomez has chosen a balanced design between the 18th century and today. Glamour, elegance and the richness of materials, all of the codes that make haute couture an exclusive universe are brought together.
Key events
If fashion could talk – After an extremely successful run at the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg (France), Sofitel Luxury Hotels is once again joining forces in 2010 with the famous Polka gallery in Paris to present the unique and temporal exhibition “Fashion Stills, If fashion could talk” in North America and Europe. Like a link between hotels and a history between North America and Europe, this exhibition tells the fashion story through the photos of four famous photographers: rare and intimate moments that reveal the behind the scenes of the muffled and confidential world of haute couture, like Dior, Chanel, Yves St Laurent or Jean-Paul Gaultier. In all, 10 Sofitel addresses, all ambassadors of French elegance and culture, will take turns being the link between these two continents: London, Brussels, Berlin, Munich and Rome for Europe and New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and Montreal for North America.
Exhibition catalog available on request
Literary stopovers – In order to perpetuate an existing link with literature since 2008, especially through several partnerships and events, Sofitel invites writers to discover the hotel of their choice. This stop over will give rise to a new story inspired by the destination, the originality of the stop over and the Sofitel identity. An event created by Sofitel with the determination to unite passion for excellence and cultural ambitions, while becoming a spokesperson for French literature.
www.escales-litteraires-sofitel.com
Stars Food & Art – The Sofitel Legend Amsterdam The Grand and Lise Goeman Borgesius are organizing this gastronomic festival for the fourth consecutive year on November 5 and 6, 2010. A group of Michelin-starred grand chefs will be coming together based on the art of living and the passion for culinary excellence. In the face of the success of previous editions, this event will also be presented at the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost on July 9 and 10, 2010 and the Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses on October 1 and 2.
Program and Chefs present on demand
World Music Day - Next June 21 Sofitel will participate in the World Music Day around the world. Born in France in 1982 and then produced in many countries, it seems very natural to the brand to participate in this event. This is a great opportunity for the network’s hotels to enliven their bars around an intimate concert or an exclusive jazz orchestra. Combining both local culture and French identity, this first edition launched internationally is destined to become an annual rendezvous for the brand.
Sofitel will also be the partner of several other international events like the Marrakech Film Festival (December), the Fes Sacred Music Festival (Morocco – June), the Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada – June 25 to July 6) and even a Moroccan week created by Sofitel in its Washington, New York and Budapest hotels.
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