Sofitel Brings French Elegance to Auckland

Sofitel Brings French Elegance to Auckland

Five Star Luxury Hotel Launches in Viaduct Harbour

Auckland, 25 June, 2012 – French luxury, sophistication and five star quality has arrived in Auckland this week as the prestigious Sofitel Hotel network officially opened the doors to its newest address, the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour.

The official launch follows on from the hotel’s soft opening in February this year. The occasion was marked in spectacular style with a traditional Sabrage Champagne ceremony performed by Ian Alexandre, Vice President for Sofitel Pacific.

The ceremony was deemed a ‘toast’ to the brand’s French origins (Napoleon famously gave his officers bottles of champagne which as a gesture of celebration they beheaded with their swords), and a nod to the hotel’s newly unveiled Champagne bar bearing the same name, Sabrage.

Mr Alexandre was joined by visiting luminaries from the world famous hotel network, including regional Vice President for Asia Pacific Markland Blaiklock, and local VIP guests to unveil the hotel’s world class features and herald a new era as a Sofitel Luxury Hotel.

With fine cuisine, Champagne, French cheese and wine a highlight of the launch event, the hotel took the opportunity to introduce new executive chef Scott Brown, formerly of New Zealand’s Huka Lodge, to guests. Mr Brown will oversee all dining requirements at the hotel, including its new signature waterfront restaurant, Lava Dining.

Fresh look mock up rooms designed by leading New Zealand interiors expert Stewart Harris were also revealed on the night providing a sneak preview of the soft renovation to come at the luxury hotel over the next six months.

Area General Manager, Sofitel New Zealand and General Manager, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Wouter De Graaf said, “After several months to settle the hotel into its new Sofitel brand, we’re very excited to officially launch in such elegance and style.

“Bold, stylish yet elegantly understated, the hotel’s dramatic water filled lobby, chic interiors and tranquil private marina are perfect complements to Auckland’s many other attractions, and our aspiration is for Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour to become the place to be and to be seen - to stay, to socialise, to dine, to entertain and to do business.

“From visiting international stars to locals looking for a little R&R, the hotel already has already carved a reputation for delivering exceptional experiences and now as a Sofitel branded hotel we look forward to continuing that tradition and indeed raising the bar even higher.”

Boasting magnificent marina and city skyline views, the Viaduct Harbour property is a landmark destination, inspired by the city’s landscapes and culture. Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour is the second Sofitel luxury hotel in New Zealand, joining the acclaimed Sofitel Hotel and Spa, Queenstown. Features of the hotel include 172 bedrooms and suites, all featuring private balconies, floor to ceiling windows and oversized bathrooms with separate rain showers. Every room includes Sofitel’s famous “MyBed”, a personal espresso machine and Bose Wave Radios.

The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour makes the most of its waterfront location, with its own pontoon for yachts and water taxis. A dedicated concierge team are also on hand to assist. Guest Relations, valet car parking, a fitness centre, a 20 metre indoor lap pool and 24 hour room service are all features of the world class service and amenities on offer.

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour is due to open SOSPA, a Sofitel branded spa, at the end of August offering a selection of the best and most effective health and beauty treatments inspired by tradition and combined with forefront French cosmetology.

Guests who book and stay between now and the 18th of July 2012 will receive an NZ$50 credit per room per day to spend how they choose at the hotel. Luxury extras include room service, in-room movies and internet, Lava restaurant or Sabrage bar at the Sofitel or valet parking and room upgrades. Rates to stay at the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour start from NZ$299 per room per night. For more information or to make a reservation, email H8577@sofitel.com

Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance
Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents with 120 addresses, in almost 40 countries (more than 30,000 rooms). Sofitel offers contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to today’s more demanding and more versatile consumers who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, London, New York, Shanghai or Beijing, or nestled away in a country landscape in Morocco, Egypt, French Polynesia or Thailand, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French “art de vivre”.

Discover Sofitel on www.sofitel.com

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