Sofitel Foshan: Enjoy the French and Cantonese “Art de Vivre” at the Design of an Icon

All Visible Items Can Be Purchased

Hotel Guests to bring 5 Star Luxury Experience home

(Shanghai, February 2, 2018) Sofitel Hotels & Resorts’ first design hotel in Mainland China, Sofitel Foshan, is an exuberant marriage of French-Chinese culture and design.

The stunning new landmark towering 236 meters and 62 stories over China leading furniture city celebrates Foshan’s free-spirited modernity and confidence, while at the same time honoring the historic French heritage of the Sofitel brand.

Sofitel Foshan’s stunning, eclectic styling is by Hong Kong interior design group Cheng Chung Design (CCD). Founded by Mr. Joe Cheng, CCD specializes in hospitality design, with an elite team with a diverse background and technological expertise to create a hotel that blends the best of Chinese and French styles with furniture and interior design that represents the Lingnan culture’s free spirit and confidence, and honors prestigious French monuments and icons.

East-meets-West Design of the Entrance & Lobby   

Inspired by the unique “Mulberry-Dyke-Fish-Pond” agricultural recycling system originated from the agrarian age of the Pearl River Delta, the entrance is a square consist of Lingnan-styled pond and garden path, standing in the center of the pond located a French style fountain. This is also the concept from CCD, which calls for the design experience from the beginning for the guests. Lingnan-styled gardening is a unique space design exclusively used in noble families of the region in the olden days to welcome the owners home. Affected by the subtropical monsoon climate, it also brings joys into Cantonese people’s life especially for summer cooling and sun shading.

The Entrance is the Reminiscent of Both the Pearl River Delta and the Road & Stone Square

With inspiration from lordly Lingnan-styled mansions featuring space variation, diverse and exquisite patterns, the Lobby creates an ambience of home away from home with a perfect blend of French luxury and Cantonese refinement. The hollow lobby lounge offers the guests double experience of natural peace and rich royal by its dual viewing angle.

The Lobby Creates an Ambience of Home Away from Home with a Perfect Blend

of French Luxury and Cantonese Refinement

Elaborately customized by Guangzhou Juyi Design, the hotel’s artworks are brilliant additions to the luxurious guest experience, such as the striking Bamboo Installation embodying prominence and tranquility in traditional Chinese culture, together with the modern metal style, to present a perfect fusion of modern and tradition and to express the good wishes that Sofitel Foshan a brilliant success.

The Crystal Chair which is made of crystal and imported organic class, excluding not only a subtle sense of future but also an antique flavour of traditional furniture. Using materials of crystal and imported plexiglass, and adopting the signature shapes of round-backed armchair and mandarin chair in the form of suspended crystal. The artwork shows a new connotation, rather than the initial “seated” concept. The innovative and creative expression reflects Sofitel Foshan’s respect for Chinese traditional culture. And its good wishes to introduce new look by retaining heritage to pass on traditional virtues and spirits of Chinese people.

The Bamboo Installation in the Lobby

World-Class Diverse Dining Experiences

Kwee Zeen is an interactive all day dining restaurant like coffee shops on the left bank of the Seine of French, providing discerning guests with the best regional and international cuisine through buffet or creative a la carte menu in a setting with works by Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Salvador Dali and Picasso.       

Italian restaurant Allegria is of classic Italian Tuscany décor featuring exquisite decorative elements and patterns, simplicity and elegance of modern aesthetics, while underlining the comfort and utility of furnishings. From the arched ceiling and corridor across different dining areas to the open kitchen, fireplace, furniture and lights, guests can feel relaxing, rich Italian ambience in everywhere of the restaurant.

Italian Restaurant Allegria Features Simplicity and Elegance of Modern Aesthetics

Located on 60F with a panoramic view of the city, the American Industrial styled Sky Bar is a popular trendsetting place for night life. Design inspiration of the Bar comes from the Thirteen Hongs of Canton. Such inspiration is also a good testament to the open-minded spirit of the Cantonese to embrace new culture.

The Highest Rooftop Bar in Foshan - Sky Bar

Napoleon Grand Ballroom Recalling Marvelous French Soirees and Society Balls

The iconic Napoleon Grand Ballroom, which sumptuously designed with Baroque style, is like the ancient castle of the Sun King Louis XIV, giving out a sense of grace of the Palace of Versailles. The design tries to present the mighty and power of Bourbon Dynasty, and to represent the golden age of France. Inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte’s apartments preserved at The Louvre museum in Paris, it oozes the opulence and grand pomp of a gilded era – from 17th century Louis XIV furnishing and décor to elegant decorative crown molding and a soaring ceiling adorned with frescoes recalling marvelous French soirees and society balls, glistening regally above sparkling chandeliers.

Napoleon Grand Ballroom.

Elegant guest rooms and suites with 4 different interior designs

The stunning design concept also influences extend to 325 spacious guest rooms styled in four types of interior designs: modern, post-modern, neo Chinese, and French.

Modern: The simple and bright designs and décors provide elegant and tranquil experiences

Designed with a ‘less-is-more’ approach, these guest rooms feature a brand new modern, stylish décor with simple lines and large color blocks. The foyer wall and ceiling is decorated by concise and fine wooden finishes to sophistication. Each entry door is matched with a marking light to welcome guests and make them feel at home. The layout of the bedroom is alternated with modern space, constructing a “half alley and half room” feeling. The four lacquer doors of the bathroom reminds guests of the gates of Lingnan’s classical architectures, blending Foshan’s image into modernity. The desk and the surface foils a lateral bookshelf, adding a modern residential vibe into the room. Cuddle up in this bustling city and seclude yourself in a “home” away from home. A new exploration of space starts here.

Post-modern：The luxurious and sophisticated furniture presents an artistic atmosphere of neo-classicism.

Using the symmetrical design concept, the post-modern guest rooms combine the dark color, with the decorative elements. Guests will immerse themselves in the ambience of an art gallery accentuated with innovative furnishing of both aesthetic sense and availability. Guest rooms exude a distinctive charm，making guests feel as if they are standing in a furniture and art museum.

Neo Chinese：The modern Chinese furnishing presents a sense of serenity and elegance.

These oriental-inspired rooms/suites not only spark for their poised and elegant mood from the East but also the graceful and serene ambience from the Lingnan Area, reflecting a rich sense of Chinese culture and heritage. Inspired by the Manchuria window of Cantonese style in Lingnan, the rooms and suites take reference from traditional Lingnan gardens’ subtlety into their layout and use changing lines in the doors, window and furniture shelving to create pleasure out of exploration in a limited space. The interior décor is crafted with Chinese traditional techniques and Lingnan’s folk workmanship such as the Chinese style screen windows, glass door planks. All the detail creates guests a space of intimacy to the Lingnan folk arts and a cultured sense of place.

French: Furniture of the Louis XVI style creates an unrivalled experience of French luxury.

The French furnishing style echoes with Sofitel’s brand origin and characteristics. The colors of the interior space are whitened and matched with ornate color palette. The whitening techniques express a subtle and implicit attitudes and the match colors primarily feature white, gold and wooden tones. The curve of the tables and chairs bring the whole interior space with a soft and exquisite sense dotted with luxurious details. Adorned by designer furniture and silverware of French style, these rooms/suites emanate a noble flavor with exquisite and concise setting, making a perfect match with Sofitel’s brand connotation. The exquisite crown carving on the head of the beds paired with romantic gauze curtains adds a palatial fantasy from Louis XVI’s court.

Guest Rooms with 4 Different Interior Designs

“Choose it, Experience it and Own it”: Upscale Furniture You Can Actually Buy

A unique aspect of the hotel’s design culture based on the “All Visible Items Can Be Purchased” concept is that any movable item in rooms, or anywhere else in the hotel, is available for purchase, from bespoke furniture and carpets to decorations and accessories.

Guests purchasing hotel furniture can also seek interior decoration, furniture and lighting consultancy for their homes. The reproducing the guest room or space or customizes the whole set of furniture based on guests’ need is also available at the Louvre Furnishings Group.

Sofitel Foshan is next to the Louvre International Furniture Exhibition Centre, a 200,000 square-meter destination hub of 600 high quality and luxury furniture outlets famed as the world’s largest furniture expo, allowing guests to get a close-up look at and purchase furniture reflecting their dreamed lifestyle and concepts.  

Any Movable Item in Rooms and Hotel is Available for Purchase

Along with unique design, all architectural fittings, furnishings and décor are environmentally friendly, designed and constructed in line with AccorHotels’ ‘Planet 21’ initiative offering travelers a sustainable hospitality experience.

Another inspiration was Foshan’s historic artistic renown. From Cantonese opera and paper-cutting to kung-fu and ceramics, Foshan’s history and culture is filled with artistic accomplishments, continuing to this day as an international hub for furniture design, craftsmanship and production.

Club Millésime - Resting Area

“With a long history of fine ceramic production, Foshan has morphed into a furniture and accessories hub in recent years, and the city’s enriched culture blends perfectly with the design and architecture of Sofitel’s DNA,” says Michel Molliet, Chief Operating Officer of AccorHotels Greater China. “As our signature, authentic luxury brand, Sofitel’s mission is creating magnificent moments and indulgent experiences. Sofitel Foshan offers the perfect blend of the city’s charm with a touch of French ‘Art de Vivre’ for modern refinement and a luxury escape in this historical and cultural city. ”

Find out more about Sofitel on sofitel.com | accorhotels.com