Accor continues the rapid expansion of its luxury Sofitel brand in China with the addition of Sofitel Grand Park Hefei, increasing its network to eight Sofitels under management around China.

Located near the Economic and Technological Development Zone in the southern part of Hefei, Sofitel Grand Park Hefei is within 20 minutes drive to the city center and only 10 minutes drive from the airport. Sofitel Grand Park Hefei is tucked into one of the city’s finest European style enclaves with the hotel’s unique western architecture and large 1,000sqm garden complemented by the adjacent Mingzhu Garden Park.

The 261-room hotel also features European interior design, three restaurants including Hefei’s only Brazilian barbeque restaurant, a wedding chapel and full meeting facilities.

Accor Senior Vice President - Asia, Mr. Reggie Shiu, said the addition of the Sofitel Grand Park Hefei continues Accor’s objective to have its five-star Sofitel brand in all of China’s main commercial centers and gateway cities. "Accor has already established Sofitel in key commercial cities around China including Beijing, Shanghai and even Hainan. We have just added Sofitel’s French touch to southwest China in Chengdu and we continue to focus on expansion in established and emerging destinations around China.

"Sofitel Grand Park Hefei is already well established and has a loyal domestic corporate clientele, with Accor’s professional management and international sales network we expect the hotel to expand on its already impressive performance."

Hefei Haiheng Estate Group Co Deputy General Manager, Mr. SUN Chao, added that with its unique western-style architecture the hotel was a flagship property in Hefei’s Economic and Technological Zone.

"With China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, all industries are going global including the hotel industry. With Accor’s 30 years of experience and 4,000 hotels worldwide, we hope that its distribution network will bring more business to the hotel."

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2004)