Accor to manage first Sofitel in Bali

Accor has signed a management contract with PT Satria Balitama for The Royal Seminyak Bali and will rebrand the hotel Sofitel Seminyak Bali after an extensive soft refurbishment programme is completed.

The Royal Seminyak Bali is 20 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport and located near vibrant Seminyak village and within walking distance to its lively cafes, dining and shopping areas. The hotel offers 120 rooms and suites from 39 to 184sqm in size in the main low-rise building facing the beach, and is set in 4.5 hectares of lush tropical gardens. The architectural design superbly blends imported Italian marble with traditional Balinese motifs, stone carvings and elegant local art and handicrafts. Two pools, one right on the beach and another tucked into the garden area, invite guests to relax and unwind.

The resort also features 17 secluded Spa Villas, each with either a private pool or Jacuzzi and personalised 24-hour butler service. The hotel's elite Namaya Spa offers guests the combination of traditional Indonesia massage therapy together with the latest western spa and wellness treatments.

There are three restaurants serving Indonesian, Japanese, French and International cuisine and a popular Sunset Bar offering panoramic views for evening cocktails. The hotel is well positioned for executive meetings, incentives and corporate retreats, with a main ballroom catering to up to 200 participants and two smaller break out rooms.

Accor Managing Director Asia Pacific, Mr Michael Issenberg, said the group was delighted to reach an agreement with PT Satria Balitama to manage its first Sofitel in Bali.

"The Royal Seminyak Bali is a very impressive hotel that is well established in an ideal location, making it an excellent introduction for our luxury Sofitel brand on Bali. As the largest international hotel management  company in Indonesia this is an important addition to our country network and gives us four hotels around the island.

"This addition is part of a major expansion of the Sofitel brand in Asia. It will join new Sofitel developments in Thailand and China, and is part of a wider strategy to establish Sofitel hotels in the region's most important beach resorts and leisure destinations. We anticipate announcing additional hotels in the near future."

PT Satria Balitama Executive Chairman, Mr Dedi Panigoro, said: "The Royal Seminyak Bali has enjoyed considerable success over the years with a reputation for luxury and refined service.

"This will be further enhanced with the addition of Sofitel branding to the hotel, and look forward to benefiting from Accor's worldwide sales and distribution network."

The latest addition gives Accor hotels in four of Bali's most popular areas, Sanur, Benoa, Kuta and Seminyak under three distinct brands: Sofitel, Novotel and Mercure. In April 2003 Accor reaffirmed its confidence in Indonesia and Bali tourism with the announcement of 10 new management contracts, the single largest consolidation of hotels by an international hotel management company in the country.

With Sofitel Seminyak Bali Accor will now have a total of 35 hotels around Indonesia in operation or in development under its Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis brands.