The Novotel�s General Manager is Lynne McVicar. The 144 room St Moritz Novotel Suites joins the Novotel Queenstown, which has recently undergone a major refurbishment. It is Accor�s fifth Novotel in New Zealand, with a sixth - at Hamilton - scheduled to open in 1999.

Due to the configuration of the hotel, suites and rooms connect to provide an additional 28 two bedroom apartments. This will allow the Novotel to cater for the differing styles of accommodation required for the summer touring and winter ski seasons.

Each of  the one-bedroom suites contains full kitchen and laundry facilities. With the suites joining the hotel rooms, the combined suite/hotel room makes ideal accommodation for families or couples sharing. Guests can dine in their suites or in the hotel�s restaurant lombardi, named after the Lombardy poplars in front of the restaurant and the northern Italian influence in the cuisine of Head Chef Giuseppe Santelli. 
 
Built in a grand European design, Novotel Suites combines the space and facilities of apartment living with full hotel service. The hotel is superbly situated in downtown Queenstown, overlooking Queenstown Bay and The Remarkables mountain range. It is just a minute�s walk from the prestigious steamer wharf development.

Commenting on the opening of Accor�s newest hotel in New Zealand, Accor�s Managing Director for Australia/New Zealand, Michael Issenberg, said: �Queenstown has become a highly competitive market, but the quality of the new Novotel, combined with its versatility, will make it very attractive option for both domestic and international travellers, whether they be skiers or tourists.�

Opening rates for the Novotel Suites start from NZ$135+GST (deluxe studio) and NZ$160+GST (one bedroom suite).

The Novotel is managed by Accor Asia Pacific, the largest hotel group in the region with 134 hotels and some 25,000 rooms. The worldwide Accor group boasts a network of 2,500 hotels under the brands Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis and Formule 1.

For further information: Lynne McVicar 643-4424990 (fax) 643-4424667