A new Sofitel in Cotonou and the arrival of MGallery in Nairobi: the Accor group's luxury brands have taken pride of place in two major African destinations. Notably Sofitel, which recently launched Benin's first five-star hotelThe hotel is ideally located for business travellers, just five minutes from the airport and not far from the port of Benin's economic capital.
But this location is not its only attraction, as the establishment boasts, first and foremost, the Cotonou's largest convention centre. Opened in 1995 to mark the 6e the Francophonie summit, has been completely renovated in parallel with the construction of the hotel revisiting the former Benin Marina Hotel. Launched in 2019, this project initiated by the country's authorities is part of a drive to strengthen " a range of hotels and high-standard meeting facilities "To raise Benin's profile on the international stage.
Both stylish and equipped with the latest technology, the Le Dôme conference centre can now host events of all kinds. up to 700 people or banquets for 400 people. This vast MICE venue also has another large room, Les Collines, where 320 participants can gather in theatre format, in addition to six other rooms ranging from 40 to 70 m². To accommodate participants, the hotel has 198 rooms, including fourteen suites and five duplex suites with private pools.
For, as its name suggests, the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa is also a place of refined relaxation, extending over 29 hectares. in lush parkland. With outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a 1,000 m² spa in partnership with KOS Paris, and a fitness centre, the hotel offers plenty of space to relax in the midst of events or business meetings. What's more, the hotel will be adding the Pavillon, which will house two cinemas managed by Canal Olympia, as well as a Partouche casino.
On the F&B side, the offer is just as diverse and varied, with five bars and restaurants due to open gradually between now and December. These include a Levantine cuisine restaurant, a poolside restaurant and a brasserie with a menu created by Michelin-starred chef Georgiana Viou. All of which should make the hotel a firm favourite with local customers, while the Sofitel Cotonou will also be setting itself apart with a concept of clubbing chicthe Byblos.
This new flagship embodies the cultural link that the brand intends to develop, combining French elegance with local heritage in all its modernity. " A veritable cultural institution, the hotel boasts a remarkable collection celebrating the wealth of local arts and traditions." says Mehdi Morad, Vice President of African Operations for Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems.
According to Maud Bailly, General Manager of Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems, the opening of this hotel also demonstrates the brand's commitment to development. on the African continent, a market with huge potential" . Now Cotonou, for its 16the hotel in Africa, but also Abidjan with the famous Hotel Ivoire, and Algiers, Casablanca, Cairo and Malabo, in Equatorial Guinea: Sofitel has already carved out a place for itself in several of the continent's major business centres. And it's only waiting to grow.
