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{{short description|French international luxury hotels chain}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Sofitel Hotels & Resorts
| logo = Sofitel.svg
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| industry = [[Hotel]]s
| parent = [[Accor]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1964|6|26}}
| hq_location_city = [[Paris]]
| hq_location_country = France
| num_locations = 130 (2023)<ref name=hotelnewsnow/>
| website = {{URL|https://sofitel.accor.com}}
}}
'''Sofitel Hotels & Resorts''' are a French hotel chain of [[luxury hotel]]s based in [[Paris]], [[France]], and owned by [[Accor]] since 1980. Founded in 1964 in France, Sofitel quickly developed worldwide to reach more than 200 properties. In 2008, Sofitel became a brand of luxury hotels only, downsized its property count to 89, and created new brands. Sofitel had 130 properties by January 2023.
== History ==
[[File:Sofitel Berlin Gendarmenmarkt 2017-2.jpg|thumb|Sofitel in [[Berlin]]]]
[[File:Taba Heights Sofitel R01.jpg|thumb|Sofitel in [[Taba, Egypt]]]]
[[File:Sofitel Metropole, Ngô Quyền - 2022-09-02 07.jpg|thumb|[[Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi]]]]
[[Banque Paribas]] opened the first Sofitel in [[Strasbourg]] ([[France]]) on 26 June 1964, the Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île, which was the first 5-star hotel in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luxury-hospitality-daily.com/news-43521-Sofitel-Strasbourg-Grande-Ile-Sofitel-s-first-hotel-turns-50-NL.html|title=Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile: Sofitel's first hotel turns 50 (France)|website=Luxury-hospitality-daily.com|date=4 August 2014|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>
=== International development ===
In the 1970s, Sofitel became an international chain of hotels. The first Sofitel in the United States opened in 1975 in [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]. Sofitel entered the US market with a French approach to hospitality, making French [[baguette]]s on site, offering a wide selection of wines, providing [[bidet]]s in 1/3 of the rooms, and hiring French chefs to manage the kitchens. The hotel turned a profit within 18 months of operations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/10/archives/a-touch-of-paris-in-the-land-of-the-vikings.html|title=A Touch of Paris in the Land of the Vikings|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=10 April 1977|author=Susan B. Tribich|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>
In 1980, Sofitel was purchased by [[AccorHotels|Novotel SIEH]] (renamed Accor in 1983), and joined the group's hotel brands: [[Novotel]], [[Mercure (hotel)|Mercure]], [[Ibis (hotel)|Ibis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://group.accor.com/en/group/who-we-are/our-history|title=Our History|website=group.accor.com|access-date=9 July 2024}}</ref>
The first Sofitel in [[Colombia]] opened in 1995,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-709941|title=Más Hoteles Sofitel|website=Eltiempo.com|date=14 July 1997|language=es|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> and the first Sofitel in [[Japan]] opened in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/12/09/1996/LesEchos/17230-048-ECH_accor-ouvre-son-premier-hotel-sofitel-au-japon.htm|title=Accor ouvre son premier hôtel Sofitel au Japon|website=Lesechos.fr|date=12 September 1996|language=fr|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> In 1997, the group announced the opening of the [[Sofitel New York Hotel]], a $90 million investment on [[44th Street (Manhattan)|West 44th Street]] between [[Fifth Avenue]] and [[Avenue of the Americas]] (next to the [[New York Yacht Club]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/25/realestate/postings-90-million-new-york-sofitel-hotel-open-2000-w-44th-st-touch-france.html|title=POSTINGS: $90 Million New York Sofitel Hotel to Open in 2000; On W. 44th St., a Touch of France|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=25 January 1998|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/28/nyregion/french-luxury-hotel-planned-for-west-side-of-manhattan.html|title=French Luxury Hotel Planned for West Side of Manhattan|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=28 February 1997|author=Charles V. Bagli|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>
In the early 2000s, Sofitel went through a major expansion plan in [[Asia]], targeting beach resorts in [[Thailand]], [[China]] and [[Indonesia]]. Sofitel also opened the Sofitel Tokyo, the Sofitel St James London, [[Sofitel Chicago Water Tower]], Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington D.C., Sofitel Marrakech, Sofitel Silom Bangkok, Sofitel Montréal and [[Sofitel Buenos Aires]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2003_3rd/Jul03_SofitelSeminyak.html|title=Owners of The Royal Seminyak Bali Rebranding the Resort to Sofitel Seminyak Bali|website=Hotel-online.com|date=15 July 2003|access-date=12 September 2017}}</ref> Between 2003 and 2004, Sofitel opened 14 locations, including the Sofitel [[Mexico City]], its first hotel in [[Mexico]], and 7 new locations in [[Asia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wiredhotelier.com/news//4017290.html|title=Sofitel Continues Worldwide Expansion With New Properties in 2003 and 2004|website=Wiredhotelier.com|date=6 October 2003|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> By 2010, Sofitel had more than 20 properties in China.<ref name="luxsociety gaymer">{{cite web|url=https://luxurysociety.com/en/articles/2011/08/robert-gaymer-jones-ceo-sofitel/|title=Robert Gaymer-Jones, CEO, Sofitel|website=Luxurysociety.com|date=17 August 2011|author=Robb Young|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>
=== Luxury and asset-light strategy ===
In 2005, Accor North America decided to apply a joint-venture model on the ownership of 6 of its 11 North-American Sofitel properties to develop new growth opportunities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hotelexecutive.com/newswire/9581/accor-us-announces-growth-strategy|title=Accor U.S Announces Growth Strategy|website=Hotelexecutive.com|date=9 September 2005|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> Then in 2007, the brand underwent a global overhaul. The number of hotels was reduced by 50% and a high-end offer around the Sofitel brand inspired by the French ''Art de vivre'' was developed.{{clarify|date=August 2018}} Sofitel adopted an asset-light strategy (less ownership in properties) to bring more focus on hotel management and related services.<ref name="luxsociety gaymer"/>
Between 2009 and 2012, 30 new properties were added to Sofitel's portfolio, reaching 120 properties in 2012:<ref name=hotelnewsnow>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/15574/Revamped-Sofitel-gains-ground-in-luxury-market|title=Revamped Sofitel gains ground in luxury market|website=Hotelnewsnow.com|date=13 June 2012|author=Jeff Higley|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> The [[Hotel Carrasco]] in [[Montevideo]], its first hotel in [[Uruguay]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cntraveller.com/news/2009/december/sofitel-to-open-its-first-hotel-in-uruguay|title=Sofitel to open its first hotel in Uruguay|website=Cntraveler.com|date=14 December 2009|author=Emma Lundin|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> and the [[Sofitel Legend Metropole]] Hanoi in [[Vietnam]]. The 182-room Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom designed by French architect [[Jean Nouvel]] (2010);<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/travel/hotel-review-sofitel-vienna-stephansdom-in-vienna.html|title=Hotel Review: Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom, in Vienna|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=17 February 2012|author=Sarah Wildman|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> The Grand Amsterdam (2011). By 2013, Sofitel managed 8 properties in the Middle East with plans for further expansion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/france-s-sofitel-in-talks-for-doha-saudi-hotels-ceo-520164.html|title=France's Sofitel in talks for Doha, Saudi hotels - CEO|website=Arabianbusiness.com|date=26 September 2013|author=Shane McGinley|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> The Dubai Downtown opened in 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/19698-sofitel-dubai-downtown-to-open-on-may-1/|title=Sofitel Dubai Downtown to open on May 1|website=Hoteliermiddleeast.com|date=5 March 2014|author=Parinaaz Navdar|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> and Sofitel [[Jeddah]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sofitel.com/hotel-cms/file/fichebloccommpresseacc/pj/82/49/70/13/press_release_sofitel_jeddah_en1710020916517620947.pdf|title=Sofitel announces a new 5-star property in a prime location of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|website=Sofitel.com|date=5 September 2013|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> The Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa and the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort both opened in 2013 with plans to further develop Sofitel's network of resorts in the Middle East and Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hospitality-on.com/en/news/2013/12/13/sofitel-develops-its-resort-offer/|title=Sofitel develops its resort offer|website=Hospitality-on.com|date=13 December 2013|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> In June 2017, Sofitel announced the construction of its highest property so far in the Middle East, the Sofitel Dubai [[Wafi City|Wafi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voyages-d-affaires.com/sofitel-voit-grand-a-dubai-20170607.html|title=Sofitel voit grand à Dubai|website=Voyages-d-affaires.com|date=7 June 2017|author=Florian Guillemin|language=fr|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>
Sofitel worked with fashion designers to create the So Sofitel artsy hotels : [[Kenzo Takada]] for the Sofitel So Mauritius, [[Christian Lacroix]] for the Sofitel So Bangkok, [[Karl Lagerfeld]] for the Sofitel So Singapore,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpp-luxury.com/after-collaborations-with-kenzo-lacroix-sofitel-commissions-lagerfeld-for-sofitel-so-singapore/|title=After collaborations with Kenzo, Lacroix, SOFITEL commissions Lagerfeld for Sofitel So Singapore|website=Ccp-luxury.com|date=29 January 2013|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/boutique-hotels-get-a-french-design-touch/|title=Boutique Hotels Get a French Design Touch|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=11 September 2014|author=Ceil Miller-Bouchet|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> and Polpat Asavaprapha for the Sofitel So Hua Hin.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.chinanewswire.com/pr/201605271330523889/introducing-so-sofitel-hua-hin-an-imaginative-escape-in-an-iconic-thai-destination/|title=Introducing So Sofitel Hua Hin: An Imaginative Escape In An Iconic Thai Destination|website=Chinanewswire.com|date=27 May 2016|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>
=== Other Sofitel products ===
In July 2009, Sofitel launched the “So SPA by Sofitel” concept{{clarify|date=August 2018}} at the Saint James Hotel in London and at the Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port location.<ref name="lence sospa">{{cite web|url=http://elisabelle0108.free.fr/cariboost_files/cp_sofitel_sospa_fr.pdf|title=Sofitel lance son nouveau concept "So Spa by Sofitel"|website=Elisabelle0108.free.fr|language=fr|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> So SPA's development in Asia started in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.traveldailynews.asia/news/article/52383/sofitel-luxury-hotels-expands-so|title=Sofitel Luxury Hotels expands So Spa concept in Asia Pasific|website=Traveldailynews.asia|date=24 May 2013|author=Theodore Koumelis|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>
In December 2014, during the [[Marrakech International Film Festival]], Sofitel launched the first edition of ''La Nuit by Sofitel'', recurring parties organized by Sofitel and happening around noteworthy fashionable events worldwide.<ref name="luxmag 7201">{{cite web|url=http://www.luxe-magazine.com/fr/article/7201-_la_nuit_by_sofitel_un_concept_sur_le_theme_de_la_culture.html|title="La Nuit by Sofitel" : Un concept sur le thème de la culture|website=Luxe-magazine.com|date=December 2014|language=fr|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotelierindia.com/la-nuit-by-sofitel-brings-the-next-party-destination-to-bkc/|title=La Nuit by Sofitel brings the next party destination to BKC|website=Hotelierindia.com|date=24 March 2017|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>
== Notable Properties ==
This is a non-exhaustive list of notable <ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaddouri |first=Sabah |date=2021-07-02 |title=Le Sofitel Dubaï The Obelisk : une destination dans la destination |url=https://www.forbes.fr/lifestyle/le-sofitel-dubai-the-obelisk-une-destination-dans-la-destination/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Forbes France |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hotels Digest |url=https://www.hotelsdigest.org |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=www.hotelsdigest.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Fodors Travel Guide |url=https://www.fodors.com/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Fodors Travel Guide |language=en-US}}</ref> Sofitel Hotels & Resorts properties:
*[[Wafi City#Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk|Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk]]
*[[Sofitel Frankfurt Opera]]
*[[Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi]]
=== 4 Star Notable hotels ===
*[[Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile]]
*[[Sofitel New York Hotel]]
== Sustainable development ==
As a member of the [[AccorHotels]] group, Sofitel Hotels & Resorts applies the sustainable development policies set by the group. In April 2016, AccorHotels announced that a 1,000 of its hotels, including Sofitel properties, now needed to weigh and record all thrown away foods to reduce [[food waste]]. The number of items on menus shrank to 10-20 and those courses must use seasonal local products as much as possible. The group also planned the opening of 1,000 vegetable gardens within its properties, including Sofitel properties, by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/apr/13/accorhotels-to-grow-its-own-vegetables-in-push-to-cut-food-waste|title=Major hotel chain to grow vegetables at 1000 properties to cut food waste|website=Theguardian.com|date=13 April 2016|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref> In [[Etterbeek]], the honey served by Sofitel is produced on the building's roof by a professional beekeeper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lalibre.be/regions/brabant/le-sofitel-produit-son-propre-miel-a-etterbeek-586d6fe5cd70717f88e81b76|title=Le Sofitel produit son propre miel à Etterbeek|website=Lalibre.be|date=5 January 2017|author=Arnaud Farr|language=fr|access-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
{{commons category inline}}
* {{official website}}
{{Accor}}
{{Hotel chains}}
[[Category:Sofitel| ]]
[[Category:Accor]]
[[Category:French companies established in 1964]]
[[Category:Hotels established in 1964]]