September 2011 - Accor is proud to announce it has been appointed to manage the newly named Hotel Lighter Quay, one of Auckland’s most glamorous waterfront hotels.
 
Formerly called Hotel Viaduct Harbour, the exclusive property sits at the heart of Auckland’s CBD between the Viaduct and the newly-opened Wynyard Quarter.
 
The five star Hotel Lighter Quay joins Accor’s MGallery collection of 45 memorable boutique and upscale hotels world-wide. The hotel will be launched under its new identity on Monday September 26.
 
Accor vice president New Zealand and Fiji Paul Richardson says the group has big expectations of the hotel.
 
“Our appointment represents a renaissance for Hotel Lighter Quay and the link between Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.
 
“MGallery is a prestigious collection recognised world-wide as providing a distinctive guest experience that reflects each hotel’s individual personality and atmosphere.
 
“With an exceptional waterfront setting at the very heart of its vibrant neighbourhood, Hotel Lighter Quay certainly fits that definition,” Mr Richardson says.
 
He says Auckland sorely needs this premium waterfront hotel and it has been disappointing to see it not operating at its full potential.
 
“We know there is a demand for this class of quality accommodation in Auckland, and this extends well beyond the world’s biggest rugby tournament.”
 
The Accor management contract extends to rooms only at this stage, complete with room service, mini-bars and other five star services carried out by Accor staff.
 
At present provision has been made for a food and beverage service in a hotel residents’ private lounge. Guests also have the benefit of a wealth of surrounding bars and restaurants for their wining and dining pleasure.

The MGallery collection consists of a selection of upscale hotels, each one with a striking personality. Each tells a story that guests experience through the hotel’s special features and characteristics. Interiors are laid out and decorated with an eye to revealing and sharing different cultures; and the restaurants offer menus that reflect the region’s gastronomic heritage or reinvent traditional favourites.
 
MGallery hotels are aimed at a demanding, pleasure-seeking clientele of experienced travellers for whom the hotel is central to their holiday and is rich in character, with a true soul. Each MGallery hotel is selected on a strict criteria and is categorized by one of four elements:
 

A one of a kind, Hotel Lighter Quay is a refreshing departure from the expected – a timely injection to the vibrancy of Auckland at its most exciting. Lighter Quay is also steeped in Auckland city’s maritime history, named for its role as a destination for lighter barges designed to carry cargo in the 1940s to the wharves from freighters on the congested Waitemata Harbour.

More information about the hotels in the MGallery collection is available on the mgallery.com website.
 
About Accor
Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 90 countries with 4,200 hotels and more than 500,000 rooms.
Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1, hotelF1 and Motel 6 - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With 145,000 employees worldwide, the Group offers to its clients and partners nearly 45 years of know-how and expertise.