Sofitel Wellington Brings French Luxury to the Capital

First internationally-branded luxury hotel to be developed in over two decades

12 December 2012 - Sofitel Luxury Hotels has announced the development of the city’s first internationally-branded luxury hotel in over two decades with the Sofitel Wellington scheduled to open in 2014. The hotel is being developed by leading property and hotel company, CP Group, who also own Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour.

It will be the third Sofitel in New Zealand and the first in the nation’s capital. The announcement makes Sofitel the only five-star international luxury hotel brand to be present in New Zealand’s three most important destinations – Auckland (the business capital), Queenstown (the tourism capital) and now Wellington (the political capital).

The hotel is being developed out of the former Apple & Pear Board Office Building, a fine post-modern building. The building will be stripped back and extra floors added, with the fit-out to be undertaken by renowned interior designer Brett Taylor of CDA Architects, to showcase Sofitel’s distinctive art de vivre and stylish elegance. Taylor was also involved in the design of the pace-setting Sofitel Queenstown.

“The development of the Sofitel will play a major role in further elevating Wellington’s international profile,” said Wouter de Graaf, Area General Manager Sofitel New Zealand. “It is a long time since a hotel development of this status and quality has been announced in the national capital and it will help attract significant increases in tourism, business travel and conferences to the city. ”

French elegance in the city’s centre
Located on Bolton Street, in the centre of the city, Sofitel Wellington is within walking distance of Parliament House, Te Papa Museum of New Zealand, the habour and a great selection of boutique shops, restaurants and bars.

The interior design will feature a sophisticated monochromatic colour theme that will be accented with yellows to create a very striking decor with strong French touches. All rooms will feature the signature Sofitel ‘MyBed’, a personal espresso machine and I-pod docking station.

With Sofitel’s strong affiliaton with the arts, Sofitel Wellington will play an important role in the capital’s thriving creative scene, with Wellington famous for its theatres and museums.

World-Class Cuisine& Conferencing
Wellington is renowned for its thriving bar and restaurant scene. The Sofitel Wellington will boast a ground-floor restaurant that will showcase the best local produce and wines from the nearby Martinborough and Marlborough regions as well as a good selection of French and imported wines. As with its sister properties, the hotel will offer Sofitel Food & Beverage rituals including the finest French pastries, wines, cheeses and breads, all of which create a uniquely European experience for guests.

Sofitel Wellington will feature extensive function and meeting rooms including a 120 square metre conference room and two smaller meeting rooms. In addition, the Sofitel will feature a fitness centre and indoor pool.
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World class hotels and French elegance
Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on 5 continents, with 120 addresses in almost 40 countries (more than 30,000 rooms). Sofitel offers contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to the needs of the various clients of today’s luxury hotel sector who are looking for beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, London, New York or Beijing, or nestled away in a country landscape in Morocco, Egypt, Fiji or Thailand, each Sofitel offers a genuine experience of the French “art de vivre”.

Discover Sofitel at www.sofitel.com
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