Washington, D.C.- What is making the biggest splash in the nation's capital in June 2002 may well be Washington's newest superstar hotel, the world-class Sofitel Lafayette Square.  Located in the city's 15th Street Historic District, bordering the
White House, this 237-room luxury destination combines all the elements of classic French flair and styling with every contemporary service and convenience possible.  In short it comprises an authentic French corner adjacent to Lafayette Park, which is named for the famous French General Marquis de Lafayette who was a close friend of President George Washington.

Besides, this is a hotel with a proud history, unique to two of the world's greatest capital cities: Washington and Paris.

Converted from the former 180,000-square-foot Shoreham office building, the hotel in one of its earliest incarnations in the 1800s was the property of Congressman Levi P. Morton of New York.  Morton not only served his country in congress, he also was appointed America's minister to France, where he helped cement American-French ties by accepting the Statue of Liberty as a gift from the French government on July 4, 1884. To help commemorate the gift, Morton became the first American to climb to the top of the statue. 

In making this enterprise into one of the city's foremost hotels, Sofitel has spared no expense and overlooked not even the smallest detail. For example, because of its wonderful location, the architects Brennan Beer Gorman have preserved much of
the building's original 1930's construction and detailing, right down to the exterior decorative bronze corner panels and to the soaring lobby ceilings, its marble floors, seventeen-foot coffered ceilings and travertine columns.

To retain its elegant Art Deco look within, Sofitel brought in one of France's foremost interior designers, Pierre-Yves Rochon.

Noted for his international hotel and spa/resort clients, Rochon works closely with architects throughout all projects to create a specific look.  For the Sofitel at Lafayette Square, his sophisticated touch is found in the use of warm jewel-like colors and sumptuous fabrics that harmonize with and accent the pale beige marble walls, gold-leaf decorations, mahogany furniture, and bronze sculptures in the main areas.

As for other luxury details, guests can expect the finest in haute cuisine in the hotel's Café 15, where consulting Michelin three-star chef Antoine Westermann will assist and supervise the staff and oversee the hotel's banquet operations. He will
also work closely with the executive chef Philippe Piel to serve guests outstanding, contemporary French cuisine daily.

Guests will also find original artwork in each room, 24-hour room service, a Fitness Center on the lower level with fourteen cardiovascular machines, meeting and conference rooms, and for the inveterate Washington host, a splendid 2,200 square-foot above ground ballroom with a 15-foot ceiling. 

Even the new Sofitel's staff are arrayed in designer uniforms, created especially for the hotel by renowned fashion designer Jean Charles de Castelbajac, a Moroccan who is noted for his use of color and fabric and so-called "painting dresses." The
contemporary French look of the designer uniforms includes a "tennis stripe" fabric in coal gray with printed text on blouses and shirts saying, "Sofitel. Prestige French establishments in prime business and leisure locations around the world�"

Overseeing all this opulence is general manager Francis Cossutta, who has worked abroad for the hotel's French-owned Accor group for the past fourteen years. No stranger to the inner workings of a hotel, Cossutta has performed ably in catering as well as management positions in Accor hotels in Paris. 

Built in an historic landmark building erected in 1880, the hotel is located at the corner of Lafayette Square, which borders the White House. An exclusive location, close to the famous museums of the Smithsonian Institute, national monuments,
principal government agencies, Embassy Row, and the Convention Center. It contains 237 rooms, including 17 suites, lobby lounge, and six meeting rooms for up to 160 people. The hotel also offers a fitness center. Its restaurant offers exceptionally refined contemporary French cuisine by consulting Michelin three-star chef Antoine Westermann at Café 15. 

Further information on Sofitel Accor Hotels & Resorts is available on the websites www.sofitel.com and www.accor.com.

Over the past two years, Sofitel has become a benchmark for brand expansion with prestigious openings in key international cities such as New York, Philadelphia and Tokyo.  The brand's strategic development this year includes the opening of over
10 flagship properties - Sofitel Silom Bangkok, Sofitel Buenos Aires, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, Sofitel Cologne Am Dom, Sofitel St James London, Sofitel Royal Lyon, Sofitel Montreal, Sofitel Marrakech, Sofitel Palm Beach Marseille, Sofitel Venezia
in Isola and Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington D.C.

Sofitel is the prestige brand of Accor hotels, with over 150 properties that bring a unique " art de vivre à la française " to prime locations around the world.
With 147,000 associates in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world's largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services.