The two companies worked extremely well together on our other hotel project, Hydro Majestic Grand Mercure Blue Mountains outside Sydney, and believe Novotel branding will make this a leading hotel in Kuala Lumpur.�
 
Accor Managing Director Asia Pacific, Michael Issenberg, said the hotel would appeal to both business travellers and leisure guests with its prime location and outstanding facilities.
 
�We believe the hotel will be amongst Malaysia�s finest 4-star hotels in one of the city�s most prestigious locations.
 
�Kuala Lumpur is regional commercial hub and we are delighted to add Novotel Hydro Majestic Kuala Lumpur to the global brand network. The Malaysia economy is booming and tourist arrivals are at a high, so Accor believes the timing couldn�t be better to enter the market. 
 
�This represents a significant addition and strategic complement to Novotel hotels in other key commercial capitals around Southeast Asia after the recent opening of Novotel Maggna Dua in Jakarta and the renovation of Novotel Clarke Quay in Singapore,� he added.

The neighbourhood immediately around Novotel Hydro Majestic Kuala Lumpur offers one of the most dynamic and popular entertainment areas found anywhere in Asia. The 26-storey hotel is near Kuala Lumpur�s famed �Golden Triangle�, the capital�s main tourist and shopping district and the �Bintang Walk�, Malaysia answer to Japan�s Ginza with its outdoor cafes and trendy shops. It is also conveniently located near the central business district and the country�s iconic Petronas Twin Towers
 
Guests staying at the hotel will be able to walk to the KL Monorail�s Rajan Chulan station, which connect with the KLIA Ekspres, the ultra modern direct train servicing Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
 
The 286 guest rooms will feature a clean and contemporary design, incorporating elements of the brand�s newest �Novation� room concept from Europe. Corporate travellers will also enjoy the benefits of staying on the hotel�s Biz Floors, including personalised check in/out in the Biz Lounge that overlooks the city centre and Twin Towers.
 
Dining and bar options feature a lower lobby food court, Chinese restaurant, lobby lounge and �The Square�, Novotel�s innovative signature restaurant known for its interactive cooking experience. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre and a spa wellness centre. 

Accor operates a network of 37 Novotel hotels in eight countries around Asia, with hotels in Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Bangkok. An additional five Novotel hotels are committed to development and scheduled to open in Asia by early 2006.
 
With 168,000 people in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world's largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services.

Tom Racette
Manager PR and Communications � Asia
Tel: (662) 659 4535
e-mail: [email protected]