March 12, 2013 - Accor, the leading international hotel operator in Asia-Pacific, announces the development of three newly built hotels in Myanmar – an MGallery hotel in Naypyidaw, Novotel Yangon Max, and Novotel Mandalay Mingalar – representing the group’s 18th market in the region.

“We are excited to announce the signing of three new hotels in Myanmar – the first of which will open this year – marking Accor’s return to Myanmar,” says Michael Issenberg, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer for Accor Asia-Pacific. “Southeast Asia has long been a focus market for Accor, and as the country’s tourism industry develops, we see significant growth potential for international hotel operators with long-term experience in the region. These three developments represent yet another step towards our goal of operating 700 hotels in Asia-Pacific by 2015.”

“With Myanmar expecting a strong increase in international arrivals this year, we look forward to being a part of the development of the country’s tourism infrastructure,” says Robert Murray, Chief Operating Officer, Accor South East and North East Asia. “We expect business and leisure travellers alike will feel welcome at our iconic MGallery and Novotel branded hotels. True to our motto ‘Open New Frontiers in Hospitality’, our intention is to lead the way and accelerate the company’s expansion into this dynamic market.”

The upscale MGallery hotel in the heart of Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital city, will be the city’s first international brand hotel.  The property will welcome guests with 168 rooms, 1 meeting hall, 4 meeting rooms, a cigar bar and two dining outlets, including an Italian restaurant. The newly-built property, expected to open this year, will be located a mere 15 minutes’ drive from the City Hall, Water Park and Gem Museum, and 20 minutes from Naypyidaw International Airport.

In Yangon, the country’s former capital and an important economic centre for trade and tourism, Novotel Yangon Max will be completed by the end of 2013. This newly built 366-room hotel will provide international-standard quality and services that promise true relaxation and comfort, with 3 restaurants – including a rooftop French restaurant – a bar, a 1,000 square meter banquet room, 8 meeting rooms, a swimming pool and wellness centre. The hotel is within walking distance of Shwedagon Pagoda, Bogyoke Aung San Market, Inya Lake, Junction Square Shopping Centre, and a 20-minute drive from Yangon International Airport.

Novotel Mandalay Mingalar, a newly-built hotel scheduled to open in in 2015, will have 280 rooms, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, a ballroom, 4 meeting rooms, a swimming pool, and wellness centre. Situated in a prime location, the hotel is near the Maha Muni Pagoda, Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery, Mandalay Hill, and a 40-minute drive from Mandalay International Airport. Mandalay is located 716 km north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River and is the second-largest city in Myanmar.

About MGallery
MGallery is a Collection of 50 high-class hotels. Each hotel boasts a unique personality and has a story to tell, staged by talented hoteliers. Each one different but all share the same values: Singularity, Elegance and Consideration, offering thrilling heart and mind opening experiences. All are “Memorable Hotels”.  Launched in 2008 by Accor, it now covers five continents and will grow to over 100 locations by late 2015. Everything you need to know about MGallery hotels can be found at the mgallery.com website.

About Novotel
As the mid-scale hotel brand within the Accor group portfolio, Novotel offers close to 400 hotels and resorts in 60 countries, situated in the centre of major international cities from business districts to tourist destinations. Novotel’s consistently high standard of service contributes to the wellbeing of both business and leisure travellers: think spacious, modular-design guestrooms, balanced cuisine available 24/7, excellent meeting facilities, attentive staff, dedicated children’s areas and rejuvenating wellness facilities. The Novotel group is a pioneer in sustainable development and is committed to achieving environmental certification for all its hotels. More information at Novotel.com.

About Accor
Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 92 countries with more than 3,500 hotels and 440,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and hotelF1 - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With more than 160,000 employees in Accor brand hotels worldwide, the Group offers its clients and partners 45 years of know-how and expertise.
www.accor.com | www.accorhotels.com