One of Bangkok’s most prominent hotel’s, the Central Grand Plaza Hotel, joined Accor’s premier 5-star Sofitel brand from 1 March 2001, following the signing of an agreement between Accor and Central Hotels and Resorts.

The hotel was relaunched as the Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok and joined a network of 145 Sofitel hotels and resorts globally. The announcement of the Sofitel in Bangkok follows recent Sofitel launches in New York, Paris, Tokyo and Angkor Wat, with new Sofitels scheduled to open over the next to years in London, Chicago, Washington and other major international cities and resort destinations.

Accor and Central have been close partners for over a decade, with Accor managing the Sofitel Central Hua Hin, Thailand’s most historic resort hotel.

The hotel enjoys a prime location, near the expressway between Don Muang International Airport and the city center. It is situated in one of Bangkok’s fastest growing commercial areas and is adjacent to the Bangkok Convention Center and Chatuchak Park (home to the famous weekend market).

The 607-room, 26-storey hotel includes two executive floors and a range of suites, all with views over the Bangkok skyline or Chatuchak Park. Covering an area of 18,565 square meters, the complex also includes the Central Plaza Shopping Center (with over 100 stores), Central Department Store, Bangkok Convention Center (BCC), capable of hosting conferences for up to 3,500 delegates, cinema theatres and an office block.

The hotel has its own conference facilities for up to 1,500 delegates, as well as 9 food and beverage outlets, business center, swimming pool, tennis courts and fitness center.

Commenting on the agreement, Accor Asia Pacific Chairman David Baffsky said that it was very significant that Sofitel had established a presence in Bangkok, because the Thai capital had been the base for Accor’s expansion in the Asia-Pacific region in the mid-1980s.

“I am particularly pleased that we have been able to introduce the Sofitel brand to Bangkok as a result of our relationship with the Central Group. Our partnership goes back a long way, and the Sofitel brand’s reputation in Asia is based heavily on the success of the Sofitel Central in Hua Hin, so it is fitting that our flagship in Bangkok be a result of another Accor-Central joint venture. We are confident that this agreement will lead to further cooperation between the two groups in the future,” Baffsky said.

Central Hotels and Resorts president and CEO, Suthikiati Chirathivat said that the hotel had already established a strong position in the Bangkok market, but with Sofitel branding and the support of Accor’s global sales, marketing and reservations network, there was potential for further improving the hotel’s performance.

“We are very confident about Thailand’s business and tourism future, and the timing is perfect to bring Accor on board as the country’s economic position begins a major renaissance. Thailand is now being seen as a prime growth area for business, conference and leisure travel, and with Sofitel’s international reputation, we are anticipating attracting a greater flow of business from key source markets such as Europe, America and Australia,” Suthikiati said.