New Zealand Prime Minister, The Right Honourable John Key, officially opened the new Sofitel Wellington hotel last night – the first luxury hotel to open in the capital in over 15 years.
Mr 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 and his Hussars following the French Revolution.
Mr McGrath said: “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.
“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.”
The $51 million-dollar Sofitel Wellington is set to become the capital’s must-stay destination for business and leisure nestled between Wellington’s iconic landmarks ‘The Beehive’ and the Botanical Gardens.
Sofitel Wellington boasts 129 rooms and suites in botanical-inspired décor featuring vintage gold and bronze tones with rain showers, complimentary Wi-Fi for multiple devices and Smart TVs with Bluetooth. The hotel also houses The Green Room lounge and bar, Jardin Grill restaurant, al fresco 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 Sofitel hotel in New Zealand, joining its award-winning sister hotels Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour and Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa.
