Air France's return to Phnom Penh, almost 40 years after its last flight, is more than symbolic. For the first time, Cambodia is now directly linked to Europe, with three weekly frequencies.
Sofitel's arrival in the Cambodian capital is an equally important step. Accor has long been present in the country, managing the capital's only luxury hotel, the Cambodiana, since the early 1990s. However, as this structure, typical of the 60s, had not aged well, Sofitel decided to no longer associate its name with a hotel that no longer met the required standards.
The search for a new establishment lasted almost a decade. But the wait was worth it. "We want to be the new benchmark for luxury in Phnom Penh, while retaining the French touch inherent in the brand. We've come at the right time: Cambodia is emerging, with excellent economic prospects. The country is finally turning the page on a tumultuous history and looking to the future with confidence.says Didier Lamoot, general manager of the hotel.
The Sofitel Phokeethra in Phnom Penh is the other major hotel in the Cambodian capital, competing with the Royal, owned by the Raffles group. But unlike its rival, the hotel is resolutely contemporary, with architecture that blends Khmer tradition with the French colonial era. Like the gigantic entrance hall, which evokes the winter gardens of the early 20th century. Nine restaurants and bars and a SoSpa already make it a benchmark. And with its 1,800 m2 plenary hall for 2,000 people, the Sofitel Pokeethra Phnom Penh has succeeded in its challenge. In just six months, it has become the place to be for ministerial meetings and meetings between heads of state...
