The move will create 170 new jobs and will see the operator run 53 hotels in all in London by the end of 2012 after its recent openings in Croydon, Whitechapel and King's Cross. It also coincides with the refurbishment of 12 existing hotels within the capital.
Accor's new hotels will be:
- A 182-bedroom Novotel at London Blackfriars. The four-star hotel will feature touch screens for self-service check-in alongside standard check-in desks and all rooms will include a 'media hub' for iPads, iPods and tablets. The hotel also features a restaurant, bar, seven meetings rooms, a gym and swimming pool.
- A 297-bedroom Ibis at London Blackfriars. This hotel will be situated next to the Novotel. Both hotels are new-builds and form part of the regeneration of the Blackfriars area.
- A 128-bedroom Ibis hotel at Shepherd's Bush. Situated next to the West12 centre, its creation is part of regeneration of the area and plans to revitalise Shepherd's Bush Market.
- A 145-bedroom Mercure at Greenwich. The hotel will be situated within the converted 1930s Maurice Drummond House and will be the 72nd to open under the Mercure brand in the UK.
Speaking about the new openings, Thomas Dubaere, managing director, Accor UK & Ireland, said with the London 2012 Olympics the year had been an 'incredibly important' one for London and therefore was a key time to expand in the capital.
"As the market leader in Europe and a key business player in the hospitality industry, Accor has treated this important year as a strategic opportunity to boost our presence in the UK’s capital by investing in upcoming areas such as Shepherd’s Bush, Blackfriars, Whitechapel and King’s Cross, and improving the training and development of young people in the hospitality industry, to ensure a long term legacy for 2012 and beyond," he said.
“2012 provides a real opportunity for London to raise its profile as a business centre and tourist destination. It’s encouraging to see so many businesses in the hospitality industry responding to this opportunity by investing in the city and its people, so that we can reap the benefits in the long term.
"It is important to look at the successes of today and the ‘afterglow’; what are we going to do tomorrow? For Accor, the focus remains on our people and the continued investment in their development."