Bangkok, September 26, 2008 – ibis, the worldwide economy hotel brand of the Accor group announced today the opening of its fifth and sixth hotels in Thailand.  

The 213-room ibis Sathorn Bangkok is located in Soi Ngam Duphli, just off Sathorn Road in downtown Bangkok, and benefits from its close proximity to the Sathorn and Silom business districts, Lumpini subway station, embassies, foreign institutes, nightlife, various shopping venues including Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Patpong Night Market, and other nearby attractions such as world famed Muay Thai Boxing Stadium in Lumpini. 

 The new hotel, which opened on September 18, 2008 features a daily courtesy shuttle service to Lumpini Subway Station, special facilities for guests with disabilities and free parking available. 

The 260-rooms ibis Bophut Samui on the Island of Samui will open on October 1, 2008. Located on the peaceful beachfront of Bophut Bay, it will allow its guests to enjoy the hotel’s walking proximity to the boat pier, Fisherman’s village and the nearby monkey theatre.  The hotel also includes leisure facilities such as a swimming pool, which will complement the high standard of comfort offered by ibis hotels. 

Bophut Beach, also known as Fisherman’s village, is situated on the North side of Samui Island, Thailand’s third largest island and located in the Southern province of Surat Thani. Easily accessible by air and various types of ferries departing from the central district of Surat Thani, Samui Island is recognized as an international tourist paradise in South East Asia, with sandy beaches, blue ocean water, lush green vegetation and friendly people. The three-kilometer long crystal white beach of Bophut, lined with tall palm trees, is stunning and certainly ranks among the finest beaches on Samui Island. Bophut beach has a relaxed atmosphere and is ideal for tourists wanting to enjoy a peaceful holiday.  

 ibis – the worldwide reference for quality and value 

Both the ibis Sathorn Bangkok and ibis Bophut Samui provide all the quality and services of the worldwide ibis standard, including a well-designed en-suite bedroom, fully-equipped with flat screen TV and wireless and broadband internet connection. As in all ibis hotels worldwide, guests of the ibis Sathorn and  the ibis Bophut can enjoy their breakfast from 4am till noon and benefit from 24/7 hot and cold snack and bar service. 

Both hotels will also feature Taste restaurant, one of ibis’ 20 restaurant concepts worldwide, which offers distinctive Thai cuisine in a modern Tapas style, allowing guests to create their own tasting combinations to experience the country’s most popular dishes. The Lobby Bar provides a relaxed environment to enjoy a cooling drink or a quick meal. ibis Sathorn and ibis Bophut Samui are also have meeting rooms which can accommodate up to 50 people. 

“The ibis Sathorn and the ibis Bophut have elevated the standards of economy hotels in Bangkok and Samui”, said Mr. Erwann Mahe, Executive General Manager of ibis Erawan Thailand. “Quality is the central value of the ibis brand and both hotels have beautifully embraced it in all their aspects. Combining perfect locations and outstanding facilities, they will appeal as the best value for money option for all travelers.”   

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About ibis  ibis, the worldwide economy hotels brand of the Accor group, offers consistent quality accommodation and services in all its hotels, for the best local value: a well-designed and fully-equipped en-suite bedroom, major hotel services available 24/7 and a wide choice of on-site food and beverage options. The quality of the ibis standard has been recognised by the International Organization for Standardization certification ISO 9001 since 1997. ibis is also the world’s first hotel chain to demonstrate its environmental commitment through securing the ISO 14001 certification, which has already been awarded to nearly one third of its hotels.Established in 1974, ibis is the European leader and one of the first economy hotels chain in the world, with nearly 90 000 rooms and 790 hotels in 39 countries, including six in Thailand. For additional information, please visit www.ibishotel.com. 

About Accor Accor, the European leader and a major global group 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, 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 benefitting from Accor Services products in employee and public benefits, rewards and loyalty, and expense management. 

Media contacts 

Porntina TangsajjavitoonDirector, Communications - SEA

Tel: +66 2 659 4620

Email: porntina.tangsajjavitoon@accor.com 

Evan LewisVice President Communications – Asia Pacific

Tel: +65 6408 8840

Email: Evan.Lewis@accor.com