Accor enters into JV with Naman Hotels to develop 5-star hotel

Mumbai, Nov 28 (UNI) As part of it's ambitious expansion plans, Accor Hotels today performed the ground-breaking ceremony of it's USD 106 million 5-star hotel project, 'The Sofitel' at the Bandra-Kurla complex, in suburban Mumbai.

The hotel is a joint venture between Shree Naman Hotels Pvt Ltd, an associate company of Shree Naman Developers Ltd, and Accor.

Talking to UNI on the side-lines, Head of Development of Accor Hotels, Mr Uttam Dave says, ''The upper-upscale hotel (an international definition of 5-star deluxe hotel) will have 300 rooms, two restaurnats, bars, spa and a conference hall which can accommodate 400 persons at a time. The entire construction is scheduled for completion in 2009.'' Accor holds 40 per cent of equity in the project, he added.

The managing director of Naman Developers Ltd, Jayesh Shah, told UNI, ''Apart from the five-star hotel, we're also constructing one residential and three commercial complexes in the area and 80 per cent work has already been completed.'' Talking about other projects by Accor in the country, Mr Dave said, ''My company is also developing a resort property in Goa.'' Thus, Accor will manage the 'Sofitel Carbo de Rama' at Goa which is being developed by Uniworth Resorts, a member of the JB Group of Hong Kong.

Accor is also in discussion with some of the other leading business groups for a variety of developments across the country including the launch of the mid-market Mercure brand, Mr Dave informed.

Asia Pacific Chairman of Accor David Baffsky said, ''Accor has plans to open more than 10,000 rooms in the country over the next decade.

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