Accor has announced its intention to open its first three hotels in Myanmar.
The move will see the entry of two Accor brands, Novotel and MGallery, into three locations in the country: Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw. All three hotels will be new-build properties.
“We are excited to announce the signing of three new hotels in Myanmar – the first of which will open this year – marking Accor’s return to Myanmar,” said Michael Issenberg, chairman & chief operating officer for Accor Asia Pacific. “Southeast Asia has long been a focus market for Accor, and as the country’s tourism industry develops, we see significant growth potential for international hotel operators with long-term experience in the region. These three developments represent yet another step towards our goal of operating 700 hotels in Asia Pacific by 2015.”
First to open will be the upscale MGallery hotel, in Myanmar’s new capital, Naypyidaw. The city’s first internationally-branded hotel, the newly-built property will feature 168 rooms, five meeting venues, two restaurants and a cigar bar. It is expected to open this year.
Following the Naypyidaw launch, Accor expects to complete construction of a new Novotel in Yangon by the end of 2013. The 366-room Novotel Yangon Max will feature three restaurants, including a rooftop French restaurant, plus a 1,000m² banqueting hall, eight meeting rooms, a swimming pool and spa. The hotel will be located within walking distance of the famed Shwedagon Pagoda.
Finally opening in 2015 will be the Novotel Mandalay Mingalar. Located in the centre of the city, near the Maha Muni Pagoda, this 280-room property will have two restaurants, two bars, a ballroom, four meeting rooms, a swimming pool and spa.
Accor’s entry into Myanmar marks the second move into the country by a major international hotelier in as many weeks, following Hilton’s recent announcement of its first hotel in Yangon.