Accor Announces Sofitel for Manila
Philippine hotel set for major renovation before rebranding
BANGKOK, November 15, 2005. 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."
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