Hotel Online Special Report
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Hugo Johnston Opening GM 
at New Mercure Hotel Sydney
Hotel Room Just for Women?
 
13 October 1998: As Sydney heads into the 2000 Olympic Games, rates at the city�s new international hotels are being offered at 1990 levels, with the latest - Mercure Hotel Sydney - opening (on 16 October).

The hotel will be the flagship for Accor�s Mercure brand in Australia, which has grown to 30 hotels nationwide and more than 400 hotels globally. 

The 517 room hotel has been built opposite Sydney�s major transport hub, Central, at the southern end of the central business district. Central is the base for local, regional and interstate train services, city and metropolitan bus services and the Sydney Light Railway, providing direct access to Sydney�s Darling Harbour area. In 1999, Central will be directly linked to Sydney�s domestic and international airports, making the Mercure one of the most convenient bases for business and leisure travellers.

General Manager of the Mercure Hotel Sydney, Hugo Johnston, says the hotel has already attracted considerable domestic leisure and business travel, as well as inbound business from the UK, Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong and other Asian countries.

�Location is a crucial factor, with easy access to the city�s major business areas and tourist icons, including Darling Harbour, The Rocks and Sydney Opera House, a major advantage for the hotel,� said Johnston. 

�But value is an even greater attraction, with the hotel providing 4-star quality facilities at rates that haven�t been experienced for close to a decade. Rates will rise closer to the Olympics, so 1999 is looking like a great year for tourists to visit the city.�

The Mercure has a contemporary internal design that is �bright, passionate and strong,� according to Johnston, while the restaurants - Felix the Cafe and Caboose - feature the best in modern Australian cooking.

The Mercure is well equipped for leisure travellers with a rooftop gymnasium and heated swimming pool. It is also within walking distance of Sydney�s main theatre and cinema district. 

Business travellers are equally well catered for, with rooms featuring dedicated modem points, spacious working desk and in-room safe. Selected rooms have meeting facilities, while the hotel has a ballroom and conference facilities for up to 400 delegates. 

Mercure hotels are operated by Accor, the world�s largest hotel and tourism group.
 
 

Hotel Room Just for Women?

The new Mercure Hotel Sydney at the Railway Square end of the city has created a range of hotel rooms specifically with the needs and wants of today�s woman in mind.

Standard room features include:

  • Oil burner with essential oils
  • Vanity kit, shower cap and sewing kit
  • Razor
  • Bathrobe
  • Duck for bathtime
  • Contemporary magazines
  • Fresh flowers
  • Brighter bathroom lighting
  • Master turbo hairdryer
And for emergencies, the mini bar has some extra goodies for purchase including neutral coloured stockings, bath fizz ball, hair clip, hairspray, tampons and condoms.

General Manager, Hugo Johnston has been in the hotel industry for over 15 years and has spoken to a lot of women about what makes a good hotel room.

�We�ve included a wide range of amenities to cater to as broad a female taste as possible. Many of my previous female guests have commented on the poor bathroom light available at most hotels or the lack of basic facilities for women. With the opening of a new hotel and a lot more single female travellers, it�s a lot easier for us to implement these necessities from the outset�, commented Mr Johnston.

�Previous hotels have implemented whole floors dedicated to women travellers but the issue of security is often raised. The Mercure Hotel Sydney rooms are scattered throughout the hotel and there are no obvious signs that the rooms are any different from the outside. We have also made a commitment to deliver the products most requested; this is not the usual token gesture made by some hotels, we are delivering a different experience.

�With many of the amenities considered unisex, my only concern is that men will start booking the rooms. We�ll just have to wait and see!� Mr Johnston concluded.

With 20 of the special women�s rooms available on different floors at the hotel, there is no extra cost to stay in the women�s rooms but reservations are recommended. If the demand is there, the number of rooms may increase.

 
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Contact:
 Peter Hook, 
Accor Asia Pacific 
  Tel: 61-2 93670860 
Fax: 61-2 93670897
Tony South, TAHL 
    Tel: 61-2 93670488 
Fax: 61-2 93670499
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Also See:
Walton Street Capital and Four Seasons Hotels Announce Agreement to Purchase The Regent Sydney / June 1998 
Accor takes over management of Parramatta Travelodge / Sept 1998 
Women Travellers: A New Growth Market- PATA / Nov 1997 

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