Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Mercure gets 'savvy' about Marlborough - first international hotel launched in New Zealand's home of sauvignon blanc

New Zealand's premier wine district and the global pacesetter in the production of sauvignon blanc, Marlborough, is now looking to boost its tourist numbers following the launch of its first internationally-branded hotel – the Mercure Picton Marlborough Sounds.

Boasting stunning harbour and ocean views, the Mercure has been launched following the re-development of the former Yacht Club Hotel Picton. 17 rooms were added to the hotel's original 31, giving the hotel greater capacity to accommodate couples, families and groups. The hotel offers a diverse range of stylish accommodation including deluxe Pool View rooms, Ocean View rooms and some luxurious apartments overlooking the entrance to the Queen Charlotte Sound.

Located on Picton's harbour front, the hotel is just 1km from both the ferry terminal (which brings visitors from Wellington) and train station, minutes from the local airport and in walking distance of the Picton CBD and foreshore.

The Mercure provides an ideal base for visitors discovering the Marlborough Sounds area, with internationally-renowned wineries such as Cloudy Bay, Oyster Bay and Hunter's just over 15 minutes drive away. The Mercure's Chartroom Restaurant and Boatshed Bar feature a wide selection of the region's finest wines.

There are also a vast number of water activities on the Mercure's doorstep, with the nearby Queen Charlotte Track attracting over 30,000 trekkers annually, including a large percentage of Australian visitors. 

The hotel and its prestigious location make it the perfect venue for enjoying the best of New Zealand's natural and man-made attractions.

A new state of the art conference venue makes it the perfect venue for conferences, corporate retreats, product launches and incentive programs for up to 100 delegates.

Other facilities include a pool and pool bar.

Announcing the launch of the Mercure, General Manager Stefan Kracke said that the worldwide recognition of Marlborough's wines had put the region on the world tourism map, but hotel accommodation hadn't kept pace with demand.

"The phenomenal success of Marlborough's wines, particularly in the Australian market, has created a significant increase in demand for the region, but until now there just hasn't been a suitable quantity or standard of accommodation, so travelers have tended just to pass through, rather than stay for a few nights and discover the attractions of the region," he said.

"The Mercure brings international branding along with new accommodation and million-dollar views to this idyllic location. Marlborough wine has had an incredible impact in the wine world, we are now confident that the Mercure will add even more magic to the Marlborough experience."

Rates start from NZ$130 per night. Bookings (Australia) 1300 65 65 65 or www.mercure.com


For more than 35 years, within the Accor Group, Mercure has exemplified expert hospitality and personalized service. Operating in more than 50 countries around the world, Mercure boasts hotels with distinctive personalities carefully preserved through the type of services offered and the decor, both of which vary from one hotel to the next.
The hotel managers and staffs of the 690 Mercure hotels are hospitality professionals. Attentive and available, they are ready to listen and make sure their guests enjoy a stay full of genuine moments of pleasure and relaxation in a truly warm and comfortable setting.
More information on Mercure hotels is available on mercure.com.

Accor, a major global group and the European leader 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, MGallery, 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 32 million people in 40 countries benefiting from Accor Services products in employee and public benefits, rewards and motivation, and expense management.


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