BANGKOK -- Sofitel Philippine Plaza will open in 2007 after a multi-million USD renovation programme to rooms and public areas is completed. Accor has been awarded the management contract.

The launch of a Sofitel in Manila is part of the largest-ever expansion of Accor’s 5-star luxury brand in the Asia Pacific region. There are currently 36 Sofitels in Asia Pacific in key cities and a further 20 are under development.

The 609-room Philippine Plaza hotel is well known for its iconic location as the only resort style hotel right on Manila Bay. It is directly across the street from the Philippine Convention Centre (PCC) and World Trade Centre and offers ease of access to both Nino Aquino International Airport (6 km) and the historic Spanish quarter of Manila.

Its position as Manila’s leading MICE address is enhanced by the hotel’s Grand Ballroom (1,500 pax capacity) and eight meeting rooms. The hotel’s lush tropical gardens and sprawling grounds are also home to the Harbour Garden Tent (2,000 pax capacity) and the Sunset Pavilion Tent (700 pax capacity), offering meeting planners unique and truly flexible venue options.

There is also a large lagoon-style swimming pool and Kids Club, golf driving range, fitness centre and Spa facility.

Renovation of the hotel’s main dining outlet has already begun, with the US$2.5 million project scheduled for completion in March 2006. The concept restaurant will feature multi-cuisine open plan cooking stations, seating 480 guests and will be positioned as Manila’s most fashionable eatery.

Accor Asia Pacific Managing Director Michael Issenberg said the addition marked another major milestone for Sofitel brand expansion in the Asia Pacific region.

“Our goal is to have a Sofitel hotel in the region’s most significant commercial and tourism destinations. After renovation and rebranding the Sofitel Philippine Plaza will be a very worthy addition to the fast growing Sofitel network in Asia Pacific.

“Manila is a commercial hub and with the city having increased air links with key centres around the Asia Pacific, the addition of the Sofitel Hotel in Manila will play an important role in establishing Sofitel as the leading five-star hotel brand in Asia Pacific.”

Throughout the course of the last few years, Sofitel has become a major player in the international upper upscale hotel market, with nearly 200 properties that bring a unique French “art de vivre” to prime locations around the world.

Sofitel is present in all of the major business cities, all the leading holiday resorts and in key international airports in the region.

In 2005, Sofitel will continue its growth in the region with openings in China,Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Vietnam and Thailand.

With 168,000 people in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world's largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services, with two major international activities:

  • hotels: over 4,000 hotels (more than 466,000 rooms) in 92 countries, casinos, travel agencies, and restaurants;
  • services to corporate clients and public institutions: 19 million people in 34 countries use a broad range of services (food vouchers, people care and services, incentive, loyalty programs, events) engineered and managed by Accor.

Tom Racette
(662) 267 0810 ext 2008
Accor Asia