Grand Mercure Qingdao Nanshan Resort opens its doors

Source: AccorHotels. The Grand Mercure Qingdao Nanshan Resort.

AccorHotels has opened the Grand Mercure Qingdao Nanshan Resort, the second property under the Grand Mercure brand to debut in Qingdao following the Grand Mercure Qingdao Airport, and the 14th hotel to join the brand’s network in Greater China.

“Grand Mercure Qingdao Nanshan Resort is an excellent addition to the Grand Mercure network in the beautiful coastal and largest city of Shandong province,” said Michel Molliet, Chief Operating Officer, AccorHotels Greater China. “Grand Mercure is an upscale network of hotels and apartments enriched with local traditions and renowned French touches. The brand is the cultural touchstones that reflect a unique heritage charm.”

Located adjacent to Qingdao International Exhibition Centre, the largest exhibition and convention venue in Shandong province with the central business district and Qingdao Liuting International Airport a short drive away.

Grand Mercure Qingdao Nanshan Resort features 508 contemporary guest rooms and suites, with modern facilities, including a minibar, complimentary Wi-Fi connection and a flat screen TV.  The resort’s private beach is within walking distance.

The hotel has eight function rooms, two board rooms and two pillar-less Grand Ballrooms that can cater up to 1,000 guests. Local and international cuisines are served at the Sunshine Global Western Restaurant, while authentic Chinese cuisine and fresh seafood are served at Linhai Xuan. The Lobby Bar and the Cigar Bar offer venues to unwind.

AccorHotels launched the Pullman Qingdao Ziyue about a month before, bringing the Pullman network in Greater China to 26 operating hotels. Located in Chengyang District, Pullman Qingdao Ziyue is a five-minute drive from Qingdao Liuting International Airport, with easy access to Qingdao city centre and the Qingdao International Expo Centre.

For MICE the Pullman Qingdao Ziyue has a 1,700 sq m conference and banquet facility, including a 900 sq m pillarless ballroom that can host up to 600 guests and five versatile meeting rooms.

Interested?

The Grand Mercure Qingdao Nanshan Resort is at 46 Wenquan Road, Binhai Road, Jimo Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Room rates start from RMB498*. For reservations, email h9964-sm at accor.com or call +86 532 8505 6888

Room rates for the Pullman Qingdao Ziyue start from RMB466*. For reservations, email H8603-SM at accor.com

*Terms and conditions apply.

AccorHotels opens first five star international hotel at Vung Tau

Source: AccorHotels. The
Pullman Vung Tau.

AccorHotels has opened the Pullman Vung Tau, the first five-star international hotel in the seaside destination, 1.5 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh city.

Featuring the largest meeting facilities in Southern Vietnam and views of Back Beach and Front Beach, Pullman Vung Tau is ideal for business travellers seeking a quick getaway from Ho Chi Minh city.

“Pullman is AccorHotels’ upscale brand specifically catering to today's modern travellers,” said Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer for AccorHotels Upper Southeast and Northeast Asia. “Half of Pullman’s global hotel network is located in Asia Pacific, making it one of the most preferred brands among seasoned cosmopolitan travellers in the region.”

The hotel has 356 rooms and with complimentary Wi-Fi. The Pullman
bedding concept with memory foam pillows promises enhanced comfort. The executive rooms and suites on the 10th through 12th floors feature additional amenities such as an espresso machine and a Jazz Blu Dock. The exclusive Executive Lounge on the 11th floor offers VIP check-ins and check-outs, breakfast, and a private meeting room.

Raetus Balzer, General Manager of Pullman Vung Tau said, “Pullman is renowned for its vibrant and cosmopolitan touch while maintaining a reputation of innovation and comfort for all types of guests. Our hotel is a perfect choice for travellers seeking a work-life balance.”

The all-day dining restaurant, Riviera, serves a buffet spread for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as an international and locally-inspired ala carte menu. Its open kitchen allows guests to watch their meals being prepared. At the Corniche Ultra Lounge, guests can try the Pullman Tapastry, a tapas menu concept with a variety of small bites.

The hotel also offers 2,036 sq m of flexible meetings and events space comprised of two Grand Ballrooms, four multifunctional meeting rooms and a chillout area. The meeting rooms are equipped with flat screen LCDs, teleconferencing services and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Interested?

Pullman Vung Tau is located at 15 Thi Sach Street, Thang Tam ward, Vung Tau city. To celebrate its opening, the hotel is offering a special rate of VND 1,700,000++ (US$77++) per room per night. Contact +84 (64) 355 1777 for general enquiries or reservations.

posted from Bloggeroid

AccorHotels launches combined Pullman & Novotel New Delhi Aerocity

Source: AccorHotels. Lobby, Novotel New Delhi Aerocity.

AccorHotels has opened a combined Pullman & Novotel New Delhi Aerocity project which will add 670 international-standard rooms at the gateway to India. The Pullman is the brand’s milestone 100th hotel to open globally. Guests of both hotels will benefit from having access to the dining and leisure options of the combined complex.

Set around a central garden and outdoor heated pool, the project brings together two of AccorHotels' most renowned brands in the Aerocity precinct. The Pullman New Delhi provides an extensive selection of dining options including Pluck, which offers a seasonal menu with freshly picked ingredients from the in-house farm; a delicatessen café with a wide range of tea, coffee and beverages alongside freshly baked delicacies; and Honk, the hotel’s signature restaurant, which will serve upscale Asian-inspired street food. There is also Pling, a luxe-lounge, and Tapastry by Pullman.

The midscale Novotel is a classic blend of modernity, design, simplicity and efficiency. The hotel offers a complete Novotel experience; all guests can stay connected at the hotel’s Web Corner, a space furnished with Macs and a full service business lounge. A virtual concierge in the lobby, Moncierge, will give an insight to the capital’s best attractions and entertainment, access to check flight timings, hotel information and more.

Featuring fresh and organic produce, Food Exchange offers a modern approach to local flavours. Quoin, a chic bar, offers individual nest-style seating and al fresco ambience.

The 270-room Pullman and 400-room Novotel are located in close proximity to Indira Gandhi International Airport and offer easy access to the prominent business hubs of Gurgaon and New Delhi. Together the hotels are well positioned to attract the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitons (MICE) market, being home to Delhi national capital region's (NCR’s) largest convention space, an area of more than 40,000 sq ft, with a pillarless ballroom and 13 meeting rooms.

Both hotels are part of Le Club Accorhotels, the group’s multibrand loyalty programme.

Interested?

Both hotels have opening offers. Pullman New Delhi Aerocity is offering a deluxe room night stay at INR9,999 plus taxes with buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, two complimentary drinks at the Pling bar, 50% discount on spa services, and complimentary private airport transfers. Make reservations at +91 11 4608 0808 or book through www.accorhotels.com

To celebrate its opening, Novotel New Delhi Aerocity is charging INR6,999 plus taxes for a standard room per night with buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, two complimentary drinks at Quoin bar, 50% discount on spa services, and complimentary private airport transfers. Make reservations on +91 11 4608 0808, or book through www.accorhotels.com.

posted from Bloggeroid

Pullman brings new level of hospitality to Kaifeng

Source: AccorHotels. The Pullman Kaifeng Jianye.

AccorHotels has launched the Pullman Kaifeng Jianye, adding to the operating network of its upscale Pullman brand in China. Located in the heart of the ancient capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan Province, the 186-room property is the first international upscale resort hotel in the local community.

“We are proud to be the first international hotel group to deliver a world-class standard of upscale hospitality service to travellers in Kaifeng, one of the Eighth Ancient Capitals of China with a history dating back to more than 2,700 years,” said Paul Richardson, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Greater China. “The opening of Pullman Kaifeng Jianye sets an industry benchmark in this historic city with the brand’s signature cosmopolitan, vibrant and in-style services designed for today’s hyper-connected travellers.”

Located within the Ancient City Wall, the traditional architecture and comptemporary design of Pullman Kaifeng Jianye reflect the heritage and rich culture of the city. The hotel is a 50 minute drive from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport and within walking distance to popular tourist attractions such as Millennium City Park. The city centre is a 10 minute drive from the hotel.

Pullman Kaifeng Jianye offers 186 guest rooms including 13 luxurious suites with panoramic views of the lakes and gardens of the Ancient City. For relaxation, simply take a dip in the large Ofuro style marble bath tub with the New York C.O. BIGELOW natural herb amenities. The Pullman bedding concept with memory foam pillows is designed for a good night’s sleep.

The hotel is home to an all-day-dining Pullman Cafe offering an array of modern Asian and international cuisine with dishes prepared in an open kitchen concept. The Café also has an outdoor seating area for alfresco dining. The hotel’s Lu Hua Chinese restaurant serves Cantonese cuisine, local Henan signature dishes and Taiwanese gourmet food. Its private dining rooms, decorated in classical Northern Song Dynasty style, are ideal event venues.

For meetings, conferences, parties or corporate retreats, the hotel boasts a state-of-the-art pillarless grand ballroom which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, and nine meeting rooms.

Interested?

The hotel is at 16, Longting North Road, Longting District, Kaifeng, Henan province, China. Call +86 371 2358 9123 with enquiries

posted from Bloggeroid

AccorHotels launches Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit

Source: AccorHotels.

The Pullman brand continues its expansion in Asia Pacific with the signing of the Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit. The former Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok will rebrand to become the third Pullman in the ‘City of Angels’ and adds 325 rooms to the upscale hotel brand.

“The Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit is a terrific addition to the network, providing stylish, upscale accommodation designed for today’s sophisticated traveller,” said Michael Issenberg, Chairman and CEO AccorHotels Asia Pacific. “The hotel boasts an unbeatable location, outstanding meeting facilities and modern restaurants that make it popular not only with guests but with Bangkok locals.

“Bangkok holds a special place in the history of the Pullman brand as we opened our first Pullman there – the Pullman Bangkok King Power back in 2008. To add our third Pullman in Bangkok – at a time when the brand has over 55 hotels in the region - is testament to how well the brand has been embraced by travellers and owners alike over the years.”

The hotel features a sail-shaped glass façade, a range of room styles from deluxe rooms to executive suites and a presidential suite as well as two restaurants, a deli lounge, a cocktail bar, outdoor pool, gym and spa. Ten meeting rooms including a pillarless grand ballroom for up to 500 guests offer varied possibilities for functions.

Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s most famous streets and also the longest road in Thailand. The Pullman’s position at Asoke (Soi 21) puts it right in the centre of the action. It is moments from Asoke BTS, Sukhumvit MRT and the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, making it perfect for business travellers.

The announcement comes just days after AccorHotels rebranded the Prince Hotel & Residence to Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Pullman has a strong pipeline of over 40 hotels in the next few years in Asia Pacific and will continue to expand aggressively, the company said. Pullman is now the largest five-star hotel brand in Australia and the fastest-growing AccorHotels brand in China.

Six Accor hotels in Australia enter TripAdvisor Hall of Fame

In addition to the many Accor hotels across Australia recognised by TripAdvisor for their outstanding performance from businesses within the tourism and hospitality industry, several Accor hotels and resorts were acknowledged for achieving the honour five years in a row, earning a TripAdvisor Hall of Fame award.

Six Accor hotels in total were admitted into the Hall of Fame this year:

The Sebel Melbourne Flinders Lane
Quay West Suites Melbourne
The Sebel Maroochydore
Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa
Pullman Cairns International
The Sebel Mandurah

Chief Operating Officer of Accor Hotels Australia, Simon McGrath, said the number of hotels and range of brands and destinations represented by Accor in TripAdvisor‟s Hall of Fame roll call for 2015 reflected the high calibre of hotels and resort's the group represent across the nation.

“Maintaining a focus on guest experience, and a commitment to anticipating needs are essential to any hotel's ongoing success, and the honest feedback provided by customers via TripAdvisor is highly valued by Accor.

“It‟s particularly impressive to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as this award relies on having consistently positive online reviews for five years in a row – a difficult achievement by any measure,” he said.

TripAdvisor is a travel community site allowing travellers to create and read reviews from hotels, restaurants attractions and more all over the world. The site has 340 million unique visitors each month and is home to more than 225 million reviews.

Now entering its fifth year, the Certificate of Excellence is awarded to establishments which have continuously earned positive online reviews on TripAdvisor. A handful of Accor properties have been initiated into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame – an accolade reserved for hotels which have won the Certificate of Excellence five years in a row.

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Starry Arabian nights till 16 July at the Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar

The Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar is all set to offer a mouth-watering Ramadhan spread from 21 June to 16 July 2015. The LINK All Day Dining culinary team has designed a Starry Arabian Nights themed buffet dinner with an extensive variety of traditional Arab and Malay cuisine for the Ramadhan period. The decor features exotic starry lights in the Arab style, and there will be live ‘ghazal’ performances throughout the buffet dining experience.

Source: Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar. The Arabian salad bar features baba ghanoush, fattoush and other Middle Eastern delights.

Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar has invited Arab chefs to prepare the Arab dishes for authentic flavours. Arab cuisine is aromatic, making use of spices such as cumin, nutmeg, turmeric and caraway to achieve dishes that are unique to the region. 

Some of the highlights are shish tawook, the traditional shish kebab of Middle Eastern cuisine; whole baby lamb with Arabian marinade; sharwarma, a Levantine Arab meat preparation, where beef is placed on a vertical spit; spicy marinated sea bass fillet, a dish from the southern Mediterranean coast, and lamb kofta. Asian patrons should not miss the fresh durian, which is specially sourced from local farms.

LINK All Day Dining features all-day dining in a 360-seat restaurant that revolves around interactive show kitchens displaying a sumptuous array of food. The live cooking areas comprise a plancha grill, a rotisserie, tandoor, dim sum, and sauté stations. It will host the Starry Arabian Nights food experience at RM140 nett per person (50% discount for children between 6 to 12 years old) from 21 June to 16 July 2015, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. 

Get a taste of the buffet at RM110 nett per person during the Early Bird Special, from now to 12 June 2015. Reservations can be made by calling LINK All Day Dining at +603 2298 1855. The operating hours will be from 12pm to 3pm (lunch) and 6.30pm to 10.30pm (dinner).

Five-star hotel to serve Sydney airport

Australia’s largest hotel operator, Accor, has announced that they will be part of a new mixed-use hotel, commercial and retail precinct to be developed in Mascot, near Sydney Airport.

Accor has signed a management agreement with Goodman to manage a 5-star hotel to be badged Pullman Sydney Airport as part of a new A$100 million development project that will encompass office and retail facilities. Pullman is the largest network of upscale hotels in the Asia Pacific, with more than 45 hotels across the region and counting.

Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath, said Accor is an airport hotel specialist at a time when airports are no longer delivering transport alone. "The Sydney hotel market has been considerably constrained over the last two years with occupancies idling between 80-90%, hence the urgency for new inventory to service the high corporate and leisure demand in the city. Pullman Sydney Airport will not only add 229 rooms to Sydney’s bourgeoning tourism economy but it will be the first internationally branded 5-star hotel serving the international airport precinct," he said.

Goodman’s General Manager Australia, Jason Little, said: “The new mixed-use precinct provides the highest and best use for this prominent South Sydney site and complements the Development Act (DA) approved future development of two commercial office buildings, totalling 34,350 sq m, together with ground floor retail space.”

Pullman Sydney Airport will include conference facilities as well as an Executive Lounge, a quiet space for guests to do business or relax.

Construction of the hotel development on O’Riordan Street, Mascot started in November and the Pullman Sydney Airport is expected to open in May 2016.

Accor announces 600th hotel in Asia Pacific

Accor has announced its 600th hotel in Asia Pacific with the signing of the landmark Park Lane hotel in Hong Kong to the group’s upscale Pullman brand. The rebranding of the Park Lane Hotel to Pullman is doubly significant because it is the brand’s 50th hotel in the region, representing enormous growth since Pullman Hotels debuted in late 2007. The announcement comes as The Park Lane celebrates it 40th anniversary, and signifies a new era for the hotel. 

Source: Accor. The Riva deck bar at the Park Lane Hong Kong.

The fact that Accor’s 600th hotel is part of the Pullman family is a great symbol of Accor’s future growth in the region, with the group increasingly focused on expansion in the upscale and luxury sector. The group’s first hotel in Asia Pacific – the Novotel Orchid Singapore – opened in 1982. It took Accor 14 years to reach more than 100 hotels in Asia Pacific but from 1997 to 2007 the network tripled in size to over 300. Showing its strong focus on the region, Accor then doubled that network to 600, achieving in just six years what had previously taken 25 years.

Development has now reached record levels, with an average of one Accor hotel opening per week in Asia Pacific. This growth will continue to climb exponentially alongside the growing middle class in the region which is fuelling demand for quality, globally-branded hotel accommodation.

"The addition of The Park Lane Hong Kong to the Pullman brand is a huge milestone for Accor because it brings us a strategic hotel in the centre of one of the world’s most important business and tourism hubs at a time when Pullman is really affirming itself as one of the most exciting hotel brands in the region," said Michael Issenberg, Chairman and CEO of Accor Asia Pacific. 

"The fact that it becomes our 600th hotel in the region is further cause for celebration because it is testament to Accor’s strong growth in the region and our investment in Pullman as a brand of the future. The Park Lane’s relaunch on 1 January 2015 will, I am sure, signify a very strong year for the Pullman brand, with more than 40 more Pullman hotels in the pipeline across the region for the new few years."

The Park Lane in Causeway Bay offers 826 rooms, three restaurants and bars plus 14 meeting rooms with a total of 10,371 sq ft of event space. While the hotel is very well maintained, a full renovation programme has begun to bring it to Pullman’s global standards which will include a makeover of the Park Lane Suites, executive floors, dining outlets, meeting rooms and executive lounge. Renovations are phased to avoid disruption to guests and the hotel will remain open throughout. 

"We are very excited to join the Accor family and the Pullman brand and believe this will open The Park Lane hotel to greater distribution channels and more guests from across the globe," said Luc Bollen, Regional Director Park Lane Hotels International. "Pullman is the perfect brand for The Park Lane because it appeals to today’s cosmopolitan and connected traveller looking for upscale services and excellent business and meeting facilities. Our owners, Victoria Park Hotels, are spending HK$200 million in the next two years to rejuvenate the hotel and we look forward to this new journey after celebrating 40 successful years in business."

In just over seven years since its launch, Pullman has become one of the most dynamic upscale hotel brands in the region, establishing itself as the largest five-star hotel brand in Australia and Accor’s fastest-growing brand in Greater China. The Pullman brand aims to set new benchmarks in upscale accommodation, with a network of 80 hotels across 23 countries and five continents. Pullman hotels typically offer tailored services, innovative technologies and a new approach to organising meetings. 

Accor relocates luxury and upscale team to Singapore to focus on Asia Pacific

Accor has moved its Global Luxury and Upscale marketing operations from Paris to Singapore in a move that signals the growing importance of Asia Pacific in these segments. Asian consumers now account for almost half of global luxury sales, the company said. The implications for MICE organisers are that events in this part of the world may have to be of a certain standard to satisfy participants from this part of the world.

“Asian travellers are very demanding and the standard of hotels in this region is very high. We believe that Asia right now is a hub of creativity, innovation and transformation and that this environment provides the perfect breeding ground for us to take our luxury and upscale brands to the next level,“ says Rick Harvey Lam, Senior Vice President Global Marketing, Accor Luxury and Upscale Brands, who recently relocated from Paris to Singapore.

Accor believes that Asia will replace North-America and Europe as the key market for travel in future, especially in the upmarket and luxury segments. And while China and India are leading the way, other markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines also have a growing affluent middle class with increasing disposable incomes, Accor said. Accor has luxury and upscale hotels in all these regions and will continue to grow its high-end footprint in all these countries.

"Over the past decade Asia Pacific’s economic development has been remarkable and as travellers become more affluent, their desire to travel and explore the world grows, making this region the fastest growing luxury market in the world,” says Michael Issenberg, Chairman and CEO Accor Asia Pacific. “We currently have more than 170 luxury / uspscale hotels with over 37,000 rooms in the region, plus over 70 luxury and upscale hotels under development. This means that Accor will open, on average, a new luxury and upscale hotel in Asia Pacific every month for the next five years.

“With Sofitel celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Accor has a long history in luxury and upscale hotels and our credentials in this segment continue to grow with our expanding pipeline in this sector, including more than 30 Pullman hotels in China alone,” he said.

The move of the Luxury and Upscale Global Marketing team to Asia follows a restructuring of Accor’s business model around geographical lines, with all its brands now divided into three segments: Luxury and Upscale; Midscale; and Economy/Budget. The Luxury and Upscale segments include Accor’s Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure and The Sebel brands. China hosts 19 Sofitel and 15 Pullman hotels, making it the number one market for these brands outside of Europe.

With its central location, excellent infrastructure and business-friendly climate, Singapore is an ideal hub from which to manage Accor’s growth in the region, and brings the company’s leadership closer to more of Accor’s core luxury and upscale markets.

Source: Accor. Artist's rendition of the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour.

As one of the world’s largest and oldest operators of luxury hotels, Accor aims to make its Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure and The Sebel brands the reference point for discerning travellers throughout the Asia Pacific region and globally. In recent months Accor has celebrated the successful launch of several high-end hotels across Asia Pacific, including Sofitel So Singapore, Pullman Shanghai South, and the signing of Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour at the Sydney International Convention Centre.

Celebrating Ramadhan at the Pullman Jakarta Indonesia

The Pullman Jakarta Indonesia is offering a corporate Buka Puasa (iftar) Ramadhan Deluxe Package at Rp450,000 nett per person for a minimum of 50 people. The feast includes various of tajil* selections with coffee and tea and an Indonesian Archipelago buffet.

For reservations and further information contact Ms. Sarat at H8491-SM4@accor.com or call +62 21 3192 1111.

Smaller groups can experience the Ramadan Food Festival at the Sana Sini Restaurant, on till 27 July for Rp395,000 nett per person. Executive Chef Ingo Oldenburg from Germany, Chef Gerald Maridet from France, Chef Heri Purnama from Indonesia, Chef Liu Zhijun from China and Chef Shuichi Osawa from Japan will present different cuisines at their respective stations.

For reservations and further information, contact Sana Sini Restaurant at +62 21 390 6444.

Tajil are served at Le Chocolate Lounge, the Kemixtri Gastro Bar, Makaron Bakeshop, as well as at the Kahyangan Shabu-Shabu and Teppanyaki Restaurant starting from Rp85,000++.

For those looking for corporate gifts, Idul Fitri (Eid al Fitr) hampers are available at the Makaron Bakeshop in three sizes from Rp660,000 nett. 

The small hampers include dates, nastar**, five macaron flavours, pineapple jam and meringue, while the medium sized hampers (Rp990,000 nett) have dates, nastar, kastengel***, lapis legit****, pineapple jam, five kinds of macarons, traditional tea, assorted cookies and also meringue. The large hampers are available at Rp2,200,000 nett and also have snow white, six flavours of chocolate praline, dendeng balado*****, assorted cookies, and apple sparkling wine in addition to the other items.

*High-calorie snacks and drinks consumed to break the fast, usually sweet
**Indonesian pineapple cookies
***Cheese cookies
****A layered cake of Dutch-Indonesian origin, also called spekkoek, lapis cake or kueh lapis
*****Thinly sliced seasoned and dried meat is called dendeng. The Minangkabau version is called Dendeng Balado.