The launch of the Pullman hotel brand is part of Accor's drive to reposition its brands, which will in particular elevate Sofitel into the luxury segment. This strategy has created the opportunity to launch a new brand of hotels clearly positioned in the upscale segment.

Pullman hotels will provide specific services and facilities to create an atmosphere that balances conviviality, calm and connectivity. These will include a 24 hour IT solutions manager on site, there will also be 'Pullman Welcomers' who will not only be responsible for welcoming, but also for immediate actioning of guest requests. There will be wireless and broadband communications, chill out zones, executive floors and lounges, health club facilities and the latest in hi-tech facilities for meetings and function organisers. Fast communications and connectivity is facilitated by the latest equipment with further enhancement likely as a result of a partnership with Microsoft).

The launch of the Pullman brand follows the European launch last month, which saw 12 Pullman hotels in announced. By the end of 2009, the Pullman network will consist of 59 hotels and over 15,600 rooms in 23 countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and South America. In the medium to longer term, Accor's ambition is to develop a worldwide chain of 300 hotels by 2015, with 100 hotels in Asia-Pacific, growing at a rate of 25 new hotels a year.

Pullman hotels in Dongguan and Sanya in China were also announced. Both hotels will open in the first quarter of 2008.

While some Pullman hotels - particularly in Europe - will result from upgrading and rebranding existing hotels, the first group of Pullman hotels in Asia will largely be new build hotels, such as the Pullman Bangkok King Power.

This stylish new hotel in Rangnam Road near Victory Monument is located close to two BTS Skytrain stations and is just 30 minutes transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The 386 room hotel has the capacity to host events for up to 1000 delegates, with state of the art facilities, supported by the latest smart technology.

The Pullman name derives from the opulent Pullman railway carriages that changed the face of overnight railway travel in America - and later in the UK and Europe - from the 1860s. Accor has owned the Pullman brand name since the early 1990s when it took over the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits.

Pullman is the upscale, non-standardised hotel brand of Accor. It was designed with the requirements of business women and men in mind.
Located in the main regional and international cities, Pullman hotels provide an extensive range of tailored services, access to groundbreaking technologies and the "Co-Meeting" offer, a new approach to organizing meetings, seminars and high-end incentives. At Pullman hotels, business travellers can choose between being independent or relying on the staff available round the clock.

Starting 2009, the Pullman network will count on 59 hotels in 23 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. By 2015, we expect over 300 establishments around the world.