Date: July 10, 2007
Job title: Senior vice president, sales & marketing, Accor Asia Pacific
Place: Beijing
0630
I love to walk and as Beijing is heading for 36C and 90-percent humidity later in the day, I set off for an early walk while it is a little cooler, then breakfast and read the local papers at the Novotel Peace Beijing.
0830
Novotel Peace Beijing has just been fully refurbished, so with GM Marc Cherrier I inspect the new look rooms at this venerable Beijing landmark. It looks great, which is more can be said for the smog outside!
1000
It doesn’t matter how many times you come to Beijing, a trip to the city without visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City feels incomplete. But with the heat now quite fierce, I first had to dispose of the jacket. It really is an aweinspiring attraction.
1100
With managing director, Michael Issenberg, and Accor’s head of marketing, Eric Lepleux, we drive to the Novotel and Ibis Phoenix Plaza, a new build complex that will open next year.
1230
We return to the Novotel Peace for lunch at La Cabernet. I’m told by chef Tristan Bacle that the restaurant will be the venue for the Australian Olympic Committee’s “Kangaroo Lounge” at next year’s Olympics. France and Australia are fierce sporting rivals, but when it comes to hospitality they share a common love for good wine and cuisine.
1430
Arguably the most important hotel opening for Accor in 2007 is going to be the Sofitel Wanda Beijing, which opens on 18 August. Legendary general manager, Gerhard Zimmer, shows us around the nearly-completed hotel and it is stunning. It will be one of Beijing’s finest hotels.
1600
Beijing is a hive of activity for Accor. Another addition to the network is the Grand Mercure Xidan hotel. The hotel has very attractive views and I particularly enjoyed the view from one of the suites across the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. You could still see the heat haze, so I was glad to be watching from an airconditioned suite!
1730
It is just a short drive to the Novotel Peace and with an hour and a half to spare before dinner, I contemplate the idea of a swim in the pool, but settle for a cool drink, rest and the inevitable backlog of emails on my Blackberry. I compare emails with Accor VP Sales & Marketing – China, Daniel Tannenbaum.
1930
Trying to visit all our Beijing hotels in a single day is challenging, but we manage to finish the day at the Novotel Xinqiao’s very impressive regional Chinese restaurant, Utopia. The meal did justice to the restaurant’s name and we were very impressed with the local Chinese wines. They’re getting better with every year. There was no karaoke for me to end the night. Instead it was a very welcome deep sleep at the appropriately named Novotel Peace. tmsap.
