Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich is located in a dynamic financial and commercial district. Provided to China Daily

Guangzhou

Guangzhou is becoming "an alternative to Hong Kong as a business and conference hub," with its infrastructure boosted by the hosting of Asian Games 2010.

Christophe Lauras, general manager of Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich, which opened in June, made these remarks in an interview with China Daily.

"Guangzhou's development is one of the most dynamic in China. Its history of international trading combined with its newly built reputation of a modern business hub will certainly drive strong development for years to come," Lauras says. "With 3000 square meters of meeting and banquet facilities, we clearly position ourselves as a conference and business luxury hotel."

Located in Tianhe, a dynamic financial and commercial district of Guangzhou, Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich is less than 1 km away from city landmark CITIC Plaza and a five minutes' drive from Guangzhou East Railway Station, the transportation hub connecting Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Two convergent subway stations, upscale shopping malls and luxury vehicle showrooms are all within walking distance.

The facilities include 493 French-style rooms and suites, all overlooking Tianhe's trendy skyline, five innovative bars and restaurants, 17 state-of-the-art meeting rooms with a 900-square meter grand ballroom. Extensive recreational facilities include a 24-hour fitness center and an indoor pool with underwater music and a panoramic view.

Exclusively for Club Millsime guests, this dedicated lounge on the 29th floor offers breakfasts, afternoon tea, evening canaps and drinks. A large cellar and daily events to discover wines are highlights of the wine-themed club.

"We aim to constantly share our passion for art and culture by providing an environment that keeps our guests constantly exposed to cultural activities. We will hold cultural events with multiple initiatives highlighting an eclectic array of arts."

On the hotel's environmental efforts, Lauras says "low energy bulbs are used everywhere, heat produced by air-conditioning is re-used to heat-up water and we have invested in IBM's intelligent building management system to control and optimize the energy consumption".

Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents, with 120 addresses, in almost 40 countries. Whether situated in the heart of a major city such as Paris, London, New York, Shanghai or Beijing, or nestled away in a country landscape in Morocco, Egypt, French Polynesia or Thailand, each Sofitel property promises a genuine experience of the French "art de vivre".