ZURICH, 2015-1-22 — /Travel PR News/ — Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, a leading brand in the FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) portfolio, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Turkish developer Garanti Koza to manage Swissotel Sofia, a new flagship property being developed in Bulgaria’s capital.
Expected to open in 2018, this fashionable new hotel will include 200 hotel rooms as well as 81 serviced residences, and will be part of Grand Kanyon Sofia, a stunning mixed-use development that is generating significant interest as an important new hub for business and leisure travellers.
Swissotel Sofia will offer guests three stylish dining outlets featuring local and international delicacies, state-of-the-art meeting space including a ballroom, and a contemporary Executive Lounge providing a range of exclusive services and amenities. Encouraging guests to add some vitality and energy to their stay, the hotel will also include the brand’s signature spa concept, a Pürovel Spa & Sport facility offering invigorating Alpine-inspired treatments, exercise classes and fitness equipment.
Swissotel will also introduce the brand’s serviced residence concept to the city through a range of contemporary one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, all benefiting from Swissotel’s genuine and reliable service. 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 Swissotel’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 landmark 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.
Chairman of Garanti Koza, Mr.Şükrü İlkel commented, “Bringing in an experienced operator like Swissotel, a leading brand known for its commitment to quality and contemporary design, adds tremendous value to the Grand Kanyon Project. We look forward to working with them to make this the most exquisite hotel in the city.”
Sofia is Bulgaria’s largest city, located at the foot of Mount Vitosha in the western part of the country, and 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.
SWISSOTEL HOTELS & RESORTS
Swissotel Hotels & Resorts got its start in Switzerland, a country known for big mountains and equally high standards of living. Its contemporary Swiss style and locally inspired flair attracts business and leisure travellers who enjoy high-end hotels but prefer fresh innovation to stale pretension. Conveniently located where travellers want to be, Swissotel provides guests with the opportunity to stay in the heart of city centres worldwide where access to business and shopping districts are right around the corner. Swissotel properties can be found in over 30 well-located properties around the world, with many more in development. As guests of the world, every Swissotel upholds Swiss sustainability standards. In fact, Swissotel has a mission: to treat guests, team members, and the environment with equal respect. Swissotel is part of FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company with over 110 hotels under the Raffles, Fairmont, and Swissotel brands. But no matter how international Swissotel becomes, just like the country it was founded in, it remains a small hotel at heart.
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Swissotel Hotels & Resorts entered into agreement with Turkish developer Garanti Koza to manage Swissotel Sofia, Bulgaria