Swissotel Signs Hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria

Swissôtel has entered into an agreement with Turkish developer Garanti Koza to manage Swissôtel Sofia, a new property being developed in Bulgaria's capital.

Expected to open in 2018, the new hotel will include 200 hotel rooms as well as 81 serviced residences, and will be part of Grand Kanyon Sofia, a mixed-use development.

Swissôtel Sofia will offer guests three dining outlets featuring local and international delicacies, meeting space including a ballroom, and a contemporary Executive Lounge providing a range of exclusive services and amenities. The hotel will also include the brand’s signature spa concept, a Pürovel Spa & Sport facility offering Alpine-inspired treatments, exercise classes and fitness equipment.

Swissôtel will also introduce the brand’s serviced residence concept to the city through a range of contemporary one, two and three-bedroom apartments. A key highlight of the residential component will be a two-floor penthouse at the top level of the tower that will offer incredible views of the city.

“Bulgaria is a thriving member of the European Union and a country that is focused on increasing investment and furthering its economic growth; entering the market aligns with our growth strategy and the destination is a wonderful addition for us,” said Jennifer Fox, president, FRHI International. “We're also very happy to be partnering with Garanti Koza, an established and experienced developer, on a high-profile project that is certain to strengthen Swissôtel’s well-established reputation in this part of the world.”

Grand Kanyon Sofia will be an exciting addition to the city, with the new architectural land mark being home to the largest mixed use development in the capital. Found in the Mladost district, one of the most modern and fastest developing areas in Sofia, Grand Kanyon will offer three additional residential towers, as well as over 50,000 square metres (538,196 square feet) of retail, entertainment and commercial space. This includes a broad range of shopping outlets, restaurants, cinemas, and extensive landscaped gardens. The area is also home to headquarters for many domestic and international companies operating in Bulgaria, including IBM and Cisco, and boasts convenient transportation connections to the city centre and the airport.

Sofia is Bulgaria's largest city. Located at the foot of Mount Vitosha in the western part of the country, it occupies a strategic position at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula. In addition to the city's many cultural institutions, including the National Opera and Ballet, visitors can enjoy attractions such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, numerous museums including the National Historical Museum, and shopping for luxury goods along Vitosha Boulevard