Accor selected Auckland for first ‘SO’ hotel in Australasia
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Accor has chosen Auckland as the best place to open its first ‘SO’ hotel in Australasia and the South Pacific, teaming up with Kiwi fashion designer WORLD to create a sophisticated inner-city hotel with stunning views and the promise of an unconventional hotel experience. Only the seventh SO/ hotel in existence around the world, the new five-star, 130- room So/Auckland is set to become a hot hub of hospitality for visitors and locals.
SO/ Auckland occupies the former Reserve Bank building in Customs Street alongside the city’s thriving Britomart transport hub and entertainment precinct in downtown Auckland.
There are three bars including a rooftop bar with outdoor terrace and private booths enjoying uninterrupted views of Auckland Harbour. A French-inspired restaurant on the 15th floor also has panoramic views of the harbour and offers fine dining at the hands of a world-acclaimed French chef.
Stephen Gould, General Manager, SO/ Auckland said the decision to bring the SO/ brand to New Zealand now was to capitalise on the country's booming tourism economy. “It also reinforces that this stunning natural beauty is also a bustling metropolis and the must visit destination of the South Pacific,” said Gould.
Each of the seven SO/ hotels under the luxury ACCOR Hotel brand are themed by internationally famous designers including the likes of Karl Lagerfield, Viktor&Rolf and Christian Lacroix. New Zealand fashion innovator WORLD has spent three years working on elements of the design for SO/Auckland bringing their signature bold and individual character to a design which is also inherently a reflection of Auckland.
Stephen Gould says So/Auckland doesn’t have a “dull lobby” but rather a bar that looks like it might be the meeting spot for celebrities, the fashion elite and rock stars. “Staff don’t wear name-tags and you can help yourself to the minibar because everything’s free.”
The French chef hired to helm SO/ Auckland’s Harbour Society restaurant is Marc de Passorio, former owner of Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Esprit de la Violette in Aix-en-Provence. Marc sold L’Esprit de la Violette before choosing Auckland as his next culinary home.