As part of the ongoing deployment of its "asset right" strategy, Accor has announced an international real estate transaction involving the sale of five hotels (representing more than 1,100 rooms) in four European countries for EUR154 million.

The transaction has been carried out with Invesco Real Estate, a major real estate manager in the United States, Europe and Asia, with assets under management of more than EUR18 billion, of which EUR650 million in European and US hotel properties.

The transaction involves five hotels:

• The Novotel Muenchen City in Munich (307 rooms)
• The Novotel Roma la Rustica (149 rooms) and the Mercure Corso Trieste in Rome (97 rooms)
• The Mercure Zabatova in Bratislava, currently under construction (175 rooms)
• The Pullman Paris La Defense (384 rooms)

The Novotel and Mercure hotels have been sold under a sale and variable leaseback agreement for EUR74 million, of which EUR17 million for the Mercure Zabatova. They will continue to be operated by Accor under a 15-year variable-rent lease (corresponding to 22% of average annual revenue) that can be renewed at Accor's initiative. Insurance, property taxes and structural maintenance costs will now be at the owner's expense.

The Pullman Paris La Defense has been sold for EUR80 million, including a EUR10-million renovation program at the owner's expense. The hotel will continue to be operated by Accor under a 12-year management contract that can be renewed six times.

Financially, the transaction enables Accor to reduce adjusted net debt by EUR93 million in 2010 and will have a neutral impact on operating profit before tax and non-recurring items.

The transaction confirms Accor's ability to continue actively pursuing its "asset right" strategy, even in a difficult economic environment, with the goal of reducing earnings volatility and sharpening the focus on its core competency - hotel management.

Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 90 countries with 4,400 hotels and more than 530,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons/ibis styles, Etap Hotel/ibis budget, hotelF1 and Motel 6 - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With 145,000 employees worldwide, the Group offers to its clients and partners nearly 45 years of know-how and expertise.