Hong Kong, 28 January, 2003 - Accor`s five-star Sofitel brand will open in the Cambodian capital next year with the completion of the Sofitel Royal Phnom Penn, joining Accor`s current regional network of 19 Sofitel hotels in Asia.

Construction of the new seven-storey luxury hotel begins in April and the hotel is scheduled to open in December 2004. Located just 20 minutes from the airport on Somdech Sothearos Boulevard near the banks for the Bassac River, the Sofitel Royal Phnom Penh will be ideally suited for both corporate travellers and leisure tourists.

The hotel`s extensive facilities will include a fully equipped Business Centre with high-speed Internet access, 25-metre swimming pool, golf driving range, two tennis courts, children`s playground, Sofitel Library and an extensive and modern Spa facility.
Each of the spacious 188 guest rooms and suites will measure 38 sqm or more, blending colonial interior design and traditional Cambodian motifs. This includes 54 junior suites offering an extra dimension of comfort, in addition to 32 deluxe studios - each with a small kitchen and surrounded by lush gardens and ponds.

Meetings, incentives and conferences of every description will be perfectly hosted at Sofitel Royal Phnom Penh, where an exotic setting is complemented by outstanding facilities. Principle among the hotel`s meeting capacity will be a 1,250 sqm Grande Ballroom, the largest hotel facility in Phnom Penh, with an 800 sqm pre-function area.

The 320 sqm Bassac Room, which can be divided into three separate rooms (107 sqm each) as needs require, should prove popular for smaller meetings and corporate events.

The hotel will feature culinary delights from around the globe, including an Italian speciality restaurant and a Coffee Shop, with the later featuring a mix of traditional Cambodian dishes and International fare. A Lobby Lounge Bar will offer an ideal rendezvous spot for evening cocktails.

Accor Deputy Chairman - Asia Pacific, Jochen Dobel, said the Sofitel Royal Phnom Penh would be an outstanding complement to Accor`s growing portfolio of Sofitel hotels around the region.

“The goal of Sofitel is to have a presence in all Asian capital cities and Sofitel Royal Phnom Penh will be an excellent addition to the regional network. With the Sofitel branding and our global reservation and sales network, we are confident that the hotel will attract a wider international audience to the Cambodian capital.

“We are delighted to increase our relationship with the hotel owners, Thai Nakorn Patana Co Ltd, our partners in the Sofitel Royal Angkor in Siem Reap. These two hotels are a fantastic addition to Cambodia`s dynamic tourism industry,” Mr Dobel, added.

Thai Nakorn Patana Co Ltd Deputy Managing Director, Supachai Verapuchong, said the company was pleased to expand its co-operation with Accor, working together to promote tourism and business travel to Cambodia.

“We are confident that Sofitel Royal Phnom Penh will quickly become known as the preferred address in the Cambodian capital for travellers looking for luxury and comfort.

“Together with the Sofitel Royal Angkor we will be able to offer two exclusive hotels in one of Asia`s most fascinating tourist destinations,” Mr Supachai, said.
Throughout the course of the last three years, Sofitel has become a benchmark for brand expansion in the luxury hotel market with the prestigious openings of Sofitel New York, Sofitel Paris Bercy, Sofitel Tokyo, Sofitel St James London, Sofitel Palm Beach Marseille, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington D.C., Sofitel Marrakech, Sofitel Silom Bangkok, Sofitel Montreal and Sofitel Buenos Aires.

The strategic development of the brand continues into 2003 with a number of new properties, including, amongst others, Venice (Italy), Sydney (Australia), Salvador (Brasil), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Cancun (Mexico) and Chengdu (China). Sofitel is the prestige brand of Accor hotels, with 160 properties that bring a unique French “art de vivre” to prime locations around the world.

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