Accor opens first UK hotel under upscale Pullman brand
The 312-bedroom Pullman London St Pancras officially opens this month after a significant refurb of the property and a brief soft-launch period.
Future expansion
The opening marks the completion of the conversion of the venue from operating under Accor's contemporary midscale Novotel brand to the upscale Pullman which currently numbers more than 60 venues around the world.
The France-based operator merged the Pullman brand into the Sofitel label in the 1990's but revived it in 2007 in order to reposition Sofitel in the luxury market.
Christophe Vanswieten, chief operating officer for Pullman in Europe, said the UK would be a key market for the expansion of the brand in the future.
"Pullman has global brand awareness in progress, which we will build on in the UK, helping to grow Accor’s presence in the UK’s upscale market, ensuring that we have a hotel brand to suit any individual’s requirements – from budget, to luxury."
Golden Arrow
As a brand, Pullman is aimed at international and business travellers and Accor is hoping the Pullman London St Pancras will attract guests using the nearby travel hub.
Alongside 17 spaces for meetings and events, the hotel features railway and city-inspired interiors, a 446-seat tiered theatre for arts and corporate use and a 94-cover bar and restaurant.
Golden Arrow, which is named after the 1920's all-first-class Pullman train service between Paris and Calais which connected London to Paris, has a menu designed by head chef Rees Smith which focuses on modern cuisine with French and European influences.
The dishes are paired with fine wines, including those from the Vinoteca by Pullman wine library.
