BANGKOK, 12 May, 2004 � Accor continues the rapid expansion of its luxury Sofitel brand in China with the addition of Sofitel Grand Park Hefei, increasing its network to eight Sofitels under management around China. Located near the Economic and Technological Development Zone in the southern part of Hefei, Sofitel Grand Park Hefei is within 20 minutes drive to the city centre and only 10 minutes drive from the airport. Sofitel Grand Park Hefei is tucked into one of the city�s finest European style enclaves with the hotel�s unique western architecture and large 1,000sqm garden complemented by the adjacent Mingzhu Garden Park. The 261-room hotels also features

Sofitel Grand Park Hefei (Formerly Grand Park Zenith Hotel - Hefei) Mingzhu Square Economic And Technology Development Zone Hefei

Accor Senior Vice President � Asia, Mr Reggie Shiu, said the addition of Sofitel Grand Park Hefei continues Accor�s objective to have its five-star Sofitel brand in all of China�s main commercial centres and gateway cities.

�Accor has already established Sofitel in key commercial cities around China including Beijing, Shanghai and even Hainan. We have just Sofitel�s French touch to southwest China in Chengdu and we continue to focus on expansion in established and emerging destinations around China.

�Sofitel Grand Park Hefei is already well established and has a loyal domestic corporate clientele, with Accor�s professional management and international sales network we expect the hotel to expand on its already impressive performance.�

Hefei Haiheng Estate Group Co Deputy General Manager, Mr SUN Chao, added that with its unique western-style architecture the hotel was a flagship property in Hefei�s Economic and Technological Zone. 

�With China�s entry into the World Trade Organization, all industries are going global including the hotel industry. With Accor�s 30 years of experience and 4,000 hotels worldwide, we hope that its distribution network will bring more business to the hotel.�

Throughout the course of the last four years, Sofitel has become a benchmark for brand expansion in the luxury hotel market. The strategic development of the brand continues into 2004 with a number of new properties, including, amongst others, Sydney (Australia), Venice (Italiy) , Marbella (Spain), and 6 new addresses in China including Sofitel Royal Lagoon Dongguan (facing Hong-Kong) and Sofitel Grand Park Hefei (North East of Shanghai).

All these openings strengthen the presence of Sofitel, which stands out with its French "art de vivre� that can be felt in each hotel around the world; through its decor, art work, uniforms created by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, and the cuisine. Sofitel is the prestige brand of Accor hotels, with more than 180 properties that bring a unique French �art de vivre� to prime locations around the world.

With 150,000 people in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world's largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services.