Sapporo, considered one of Japan’s most attractive cities and the premier city for skiing and nature holidays, will have its first Mercure hotel from 1 June 2009.

Sapporo is the capital and largest city in Hokkaido, the northernmost province of Japan. The city is renowned for its wide, tree-lined boulevards in summer and excellent snow in the long winter. The city is particularly crowded in February because it plays host to the Sapporo Snow Festival.

The Mercure is in the heart of the city, perfectly positioned for enjoying the Snow Festival. It is also well-located for transfers to the nearby ski slopes. The hotel is located next to the entertainment and night life area of Susukino and just a short walk from the central business district and the famous Sapporo TV Tower landmark.

Mercure Sapporo has 285 rooms with Parisian design accents as well as all the modern in-room facilities including flat screen TV, in room safe and provide free high speed Internet access.

The subtle French accent continues into the restaurant, Bordeaux, which will serve French cuisine with a selection of signature dishes created by the hotel’s head chef Taisuke Hara, supported by Mercure’s Grand Vins wine selection.

The hotel also offers five meeting rooms providing the city with superior facilities and services for events.

General Manager – Mercure Hotel Sapporo, Mr Stephane Bryer says “The hotel is likely to be very popular with Australians as a base for winter skiing because it offers the combination of proximity to the ski-fields and the vibrancy of a sophisticated city with great night life. It is also a perfect base during our summer months because there is so much to see and do in the city and its surrounds. It’s undoubtedly one of Tokyo’s most attractive and stylish cities. “

Mercure Sapporo is Accor’s third Mercure hotel in Japan, with other Mercure hotels operating in Tokyo’s Ginza and Narita areas. Rates start from AU$240 per room per night.

Accor operates 50 Mercure hotels throughout the Asia Pacific and 758 Mercure hotels throughout the world. The Mercure hotel brand is experiencing significant expansion during 2009 throughout Asia Pacific. In addition to the Mercure Sapporo, 10 additional Mercure hotels will open in the region including Bangalore - India, Chengdu (2) – China, Pontianak – Indonesia, Samui – Thailand and Hanoi and Hue – Vietnam, Caroline Springs, Liverpool and Yarra Valley in Australia.

Within Accor, Mercure represents professional hotel know-how at the service of a personalised stay.

For both business and leisure, the 758 Mercure hotels, which are all unique, respond to all expectations. Comfort, quality of reception and the art of welcoming have made Mercure’s reputation in 49 countries around the world.

Accor, a major global group and the European leader in hotels, as well as the global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions, operates in nearly 100 countries with 150,000 employees. It offers to its clients over 40 years of expertise in two core businesses:
- Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, all seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1 and Motel 6 brands, representing 4,000 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre;
- Services, with 30 million people in 40 countries benefiting from Accor Services products in employee and public benefits, rewards and loyalty, and expense management.

Peter Hook
General Manager Communications
+61 (2) 9367 0860
Accor Asia