Raffles International today reflagged Merchant Court Hotel Sydney as
Swissôtel Sydney on Market Street.
Special guests at Swissôtel Sydney's
ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of the re-branding included Sydney
Lord Mayor Lucy Turnbull, Mr. Fabian Marsden, Councillor of Sydney and Mr.
Cheng Wai Keung, Chairman of Raffles Holdings Limited.
Lord Mayor Turnbull released 68 specially bred butterflies, each in the
Swissôtel colours of red and black. The releasing of butterflies is quintessentially Australian, signifying a new beginning and the number of
butterflies released represents 68 Market Street, the address of the hotel.
The
five star Swissôtel Sydney is the latest addition to the Swissôtel Hotels
& Resorts portfolio of 25 hotels worldwide.
Swissôtel Sydney is strategically located in the heart of Sydney, at the
corner of Market and George Streets in the city's Central Business District.
The 359 room hotel is uniquely positioned, atop the historic Grace Brothers
Department Store, occupying the eighth to the 25th floors. It commands panoramic views of Australia's oldest city and
world famous harbour. Guests staying at Swissôtel Sydney can enjoy easy access to the various
modes of transportation. Underground walkways conveniently connect the hotel to Sydney's railway hub at Town Hall as well as the stylish shopping
arcade, the Queen Victoria Building.
The hotel lobby has been refurbished to feature a contemporary entrance
with an elegantly modern design. The hotel's Crossroads Bar on level 8 received a major makeover and emerged with a sleek new lounge and
10 metre long cocktail bar. Breathtaking floor to ceiling windows provide
patrons with an eagle eye's view of the State Theatre and surrounding cityscape. Other areas that have been refurbished include the Executive
Club Lounge, Executive Club Floors, Executive Suites, meeting and business rooms.
Mr. Cheng Wai Keung, Chairman of Raffles Holdings Limited, said, "The
rebranding of Swissôtel Sydney is a strategic move that presents an excellent opportunity to further increase the recognition of the Swissôtel
brand. Having a Swissôtel in Sydney will definitely raise the awareness of
the brand in a major market such as Australia. Conversely, Swissôtel Sydney
will benefit from the brand's strong presence in key cities in Europe, North
America, South America and Asia."
Ms Jennie Chua, Chairman and CEO of Raffles International said,
"Swissôtel is recognised worldwide as a brand that offers consistently high standards
of quality in facilities and services. Swissôtel Sydney's high-tech and
modern facilities, the service efficiency for which this hotel is known and its
excellent location with convenient access to business and shopping districts makes it a good hotel-brand fit. It will certainly meet and exceed the
expectations of the modern business traveller." |