SEVEN SOPHISTICATED WAYS TO EXPERIENCE SOUTH AMERICA

SOFITEL LUXURY HOTELS: SEVEN SOPHISTICATED WAYS TO EXPERIENCE SOUTH AMERICA
 
PARIS, May 4, 2010 – South America. The continent’s hotspots are often described today in terms of their rapid development and increasing foothold in international affairs. With its cosmopolitan roots, bustling cities and beautiful landscapes, it offers a wealth of wonderful experiences for visitors.
 
Sofitel Luxury Hotels appreciates this, as guests at Sofitel properties in Argentina, Brazil and Colombia experience the best of local culture in addition to the brand’s traditional French elegance and “art of reçevoir.”
 
The architecture, interior design, cuisine and personal welcome of each hotel reflect the hotel’s surroundings – letting visitors experience what makes each destination unique, be it São Paulo’s financial center, or Cartagena’s history and architecture. Sofitel Luxury Hotels in South America offer seven unique reasons to visit the continent, always in sophisticated style.
 
Argentina
1. Nature: Sofitel La Reserva Cardales offers a peaceful and luxurious escape from the non-stop energy of Buenos Aires. Located 40 minutes northwest of the city, the property’s nearly 185 acres of prairie lands boast beautiful landscapes, trails, creeks and 4,000 species of old trees. A great option for those in pursuit of outdoor activities, La Reserva boasts an 18-hole golf course, outdoor tennis courts, bicycle and walking paths. Water sport enthusiasts can kayak and ski on the property’s 50-acre lake. At Le Spa, an exclusive weight-loss and relaxation spa, there is a special water circuit (the only one in South America), a high-tech gym as well as an independent restaurant serving low-calorie meals.
 
2. City: Buenos Aires is often referred to as the “Paris” of South America, a sensation noticed immediately upon walking its streets, as its culture and architecture have a strong European influence. The Sofitel Buenos Aires Arroyo complements the city’s vibe, adding a hint of French tradition to Buenos Aires’ rich cosmopolitan atmosphere. Its interior blends French elegance with Art Deco, the design most widely seen throughout Buenos Aires. Located on quiet and picturesque Arroyo Street in an upscale area, it’s within walking distance of some of the city’s best art galleries, antique shops, cafes and restaurants.
 
Brazil
3. On Business: For those doing business in Brazil’s booming economy, Sofitel São Paulo Ibirapeura is a haven of comfort and tranquility in the midst of Brazil’s biggest and South America’s wealthiest city. Conveniently located in the city’s business center and near the local airport, the hotel boasts a view of the lush green Parque Do Ibirapuera. Business is facilitated by complimentary high-speed internet in the spacious rooms and a business center that provides personalized and professional service. The P. Verger restaurant, headed by Chef Patrick Ferry, is an extension of the city’s French atmosphere, with sophisticated dishes that please the most refined palates.
 
4. Beach : Beach lovers visiting Rio de Janeiro will be pleased to learn that all 388 rooms at the Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana have a balcony, exclusive services and excellent cuisine by the executive chef of Sofitel in South America, Roland Villard, as well as seamless access to the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Sun lovers will enjoy two swimming pools, one for morning sun and one for afternoon sun. The Rio de Janeiro Sofitel is one of the best located hotels in the Cidade Maravilhosa, or the “Marvelous City” as the city is affectionately called. Guests are steps away from famous Rio districts such as Copacabana, Princesinha do mar, Sea Princess and Ipanema, the cradle of Brazil’s bossa nova music.
 
5. Bring the Kids: Sofitel Guarujá Jequitimar, located on Guarujá’s most charming beach, Pernambuco, which is only 53 miles from São Paulo, makes the vacation stress-free with plenty of kid-friendly features. The “Kids’ Restaurant” has a balanced menu of international and classic cuisine designed by a hotel nutritionist. Kids will be delighted to recognize and dine on their favorite foods, always a comfort when far away from home. Furthermore, parents can enjoy a cocktail at the bar with the kids in tow – the bar serves pizza and snacks and has regular musical entertainment. The little ones will also enjoy the outdoor heated pool and the white sand and blue water of the beach just steps away from their doorstep. Within the room, they’ll be asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow on Sofitel’s trademark MyBeds. This hotel was the first in South America to have Le Spa, an exclusive 6562 square-foot space offering a variety of treatments.
 
Colombia
6. History: In Cartagena, a city nestled in the southwest corner of the Caribbean, Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clara offers an opportunity to relive history at an unrivaled level of luxury. Originally built as the Santa Clara de Assis Convent in 1621, the property has been completely revitalized by Colombian restoration architects. The walled city, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, is an architectural and cultural gem, with castles and bastions evoking the splendor and drama of days gone by. The hotel boasts 121 rooms, butler service and Le Spa, where aromas, textures and sounds delicately mesh together in renewing experiences for the body and mind.
 
7. Food: Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia is the perfect place to park yourself for an urban culinary adventure in Bogotá, home to not only Colombian fare, but a plethora of world cuisine. For those with an appetite for Colombian gastronomy, which is a blend of European and African food, the hotel is located just footsteps from Zona Rosa, neighborhood brimming with mouth-watering culinary home runs. Enjoy traditional Colombian dishes such as sancocho, ajiaco, lechona tolimense and mote de queso followed by a walk through Bogotá’s festive streets before turning into the lush and inviting Sofitel.
 
Whatever the reason for your visit to South America, Sofitel Luxury Hotels is there to welcome you in magnifique style. Each Sofitel, be it in Argentina, Brazil or Colombia, highlights its unique surroundings while providing its guests with a luxurious stay, always in French sophistication.
 
 
Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance

Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents with 130 addresses, in almost 40 countries (more than 30 000 rooms). Sofitel offers contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to today’s more demanding and more versatile consumers who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, London, New York or Beijing, or nestled away in a country landscape in Morocco, Egypt, Fiji Islands or Thailand, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French “ art de vivre”.

 
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