New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key, officially opened the new Sofitel Wellington hotel this week (Aug 17), the first luxury hotel to open in the capital in over 15 years.
Key joined local owners and developers C.P. Group, Chief Operating Officer AccorHotels Pacific, Simon McGrath, AccorHotels Senior Vice President New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, Chris Sedgwick, and over 70 invited guests from the travel and tourism industry to mark the occasion.
In a toast to Sofitel’s French heritage, the hotel was officially opened by a ceremonial ‘Sabrage’ ritual whereby a bottle of Champagne was opened with a single, elegant swipe of a sabre – a tradition made famous by Napoleon in the French Revolution.
“Sofitel Wellington is a strategic addition to our New Zealand hotel network and will play a key role in further elevating Wellington’s international profile and attractiveness as a key leisure and business destination,” said AccorHotels Chief Operating Officer Pacific, Simon McGrath.
“We are confident that Sofitel’s strong branding in the luxury market will appeal and cater to a range of domestic and international travellers seeking personalised and high-end hospitality in the capital. It’s been over a decade since a hotel of this quality and status has opened in Wellington and we are delighted that the Prime Minister could lend his time to officially launch the hotel,” he said.
The NZD$51 million dollar Sofitel Wellington features 129 luxuriously-appointed rooms and suites in botanical inspired décor featuring vintage gold and bronze tones with indulgent rain showers, complimentary WiFi internet for multiple devices and Smart TVs with Bluetooth.
The hotel also houses The Green Room lounge and bar, Jardin Grill restaurant, alfresco courtyard with fire pit, a So Fit gymnasium and state of the art technology across three meeting and event venues.
Sofitel Wellington is the third luxury Sofitel hotel in New Zealand, joining its award-winning sister hotels Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour and Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa.