The first Novotel Sofia, a high-class accommodation and office venue, part of the world's leading hotel operator Accor, was officially pronounced open on March 21, four months after it welcomed its first guests.

"We are proud that Novotel became the new place where business meets in Sofia for the short time we are here," Vincent Dujardin, General Manager of Novotel Sofia, told journalists in one of the hotel's conference rooms.

"For the past almost four months the hotel has been providing excellent service both for guests and corporate clients, and I am convinced that we will attract even more interest with our unique concept of being innovative and modern," he added.

Sofia is now the newest addition to the list of major capitals with Novotel hotels, promising to provide its customers with the same high level of comfort as everywhere in the world.

"The opening of Novotel Sofia is an important step in the company's development in Central and Eastern Europe," said Bruno Coudry, CEO Central & Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, Accor.

"We have an ambitious development plan for the region for 2013, mainly through management contracts and franchise," he added.

"Welcoming Accor to Sofia makes this day very special. Accor is France's stand in the global exhibition hall. I hope that its entry will herald the entry of more French brands," French Ambassador to Bulgaria Philippe Autie commented.

Bulgarian investment company MHQ is Accor's partner for the realization of Novotel Sofia. It is a daughter company of Markan Ltd. one of the top rated construction companies in Bulgaria, established in 1993. The investment exceeds EUR 22 M.

"Now are difficult times for implementing these types of projects in Bulgaria. But we are optimists because we have Accor as our partner. With a partner as Accor everything seems much easier," Valentin Karazirov, Markan CEO, said at the press conference.

Sofia municipality hopes that Novotel's presence will assert further the Bulgarian capital as a dynamic business and travel destination.

"This hotel is a big asset for Sofia not only with its new building with a modern look, but also with the many facilities that it provides for guests and businesses in the city," mayor Yordanka Fandakova commented.

The modern building combines two uses – hotel accommodation and office. The hotel's major facilities are situated on the first two levels of the building, the office space on the next six levels, and the hotel guest rooms on the top seven levels up to the 15th floor. The class A office space of 7500 sq.m. and spacious underground parking offer tenants everything they need.

Novotel Sofia offers 178 contemporary rooms with natural light and open spaces, 4 of which handicap-accessible. All rooms are supplied with free WIFI and hi-speed Internet access, latest connectivity technology, programmable air-conditioning, flat screen LED TV with satellite channels, mini bar, tea & coffee facilities and laptop-sized safe.

Based on the global experience, Novotel Sofia provides expertise in planning business events with structured, state-of-the-art equipment, conference guidance, etc.

With its 6 meeting halls, the hotel can accommodate up to 280 participants and the biggest wedding capacity is 160 seats. Novotel Sofia also features the innovative Eureka concept meeting room designed for today's idea driven and creative meetings.