10/02/12, 23:53:17 EST

  e-mail this article

Auckland's 'Corporate Crashpad' Hotel to Become Accor's First Formule 1 in New Zealand

eTN

Formule 1 lowers chequered flag with NZ$70 launch rate

24 August 2006: Accor has taken over the innovative ‘corporate crashpad’ hotel, Columbard Auckland, and is re-branding the hotel as Formule 1 Auckland. It is the first Formule 1 to be launched in New Zealand. Accor was appointed to take over management of the hotel by New Zealand property development company, CP Group, which recently purchased the hotel. The 144 room hotel is located in Wyndham Street in the heart of Auckland’s central business district. Rooms are compact 13 square metre studios that offer a double bed, kitchenette, bathroom, laundry facilities, TV, computer desk and balcony. The hotel has a street level reception. Previously, the hotel’s rooms were let on a weekly basis, but with the hotel’s re-brand to Formule 1 it has moved to a more traditional nightly rental basis, with rooms available for NZ$70 a night. Formule 1 is Accor’s renowned budget hotel brand, with over 600 Formule 1 (and ETAP) hotels operating in 13 countries around the world. The brand has been highly successful in Australia, where the network is set to grow to 19 hotels with the opening of a Formule 1 in the centre of Melbourne later this year. Formule 1s are located in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra, as well as at airports and in regional centres. Accor will be looking to increase the brand’s presence in New Zealand with new-build hotels in strategic destinations around the country. Announcing the launch of Formule 1 in New Zealand, Accor Asia Pacific’s Managing Director, Michael Issenberg, said the Wyndham Street property would have a major impact on Auckland’s accommodation scene as the re-branded to Formule 1. “Traditionally, Formule 1s are built to a specific formula, but this hotel mirrors a great deal of Formule 1’s design and operating principles, so it will be quite easy to integrate it into the network,” he said. “Formule 1 rooms are compact, but offer quality facilities and services at a budget price, and given this hotel’s location, we believe that we can significantly grow its business and establish it as the city’s premier budget hotel. “With an extensive network of hotels in New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, Accor will bring its branding and distribution strength to the property. We believe there is potential to grow domestic corporate and leisure business as well as increase overseas business from countries such as Australia and the UK, where the brand is well-known. “With the growth in low-cost airfares there has been a corresponding rise in demand for low-cost quality accommodation, especially if the hotel has international branding. We are looking at other potential Formule 1 projects in Auckland and Wellington, and with this hotel being in such a prime location, it will help grow the brand’s visibility very quickly.” Accor already has a major presence in Auckland where it operates six hotels under the Novotel, Mercure, Ibis and All Seasons brands. Accor is the worldwide leader in hotels, tourism and corporate services, employing 160,000 people in 100 countries. . It offers to its individual and corporate clients nearly 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses: - Hotels: over 4,000 hotels (475,000 rooms) in 90 countries (including 150 hotels and resorts in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific under the brands Sofitel, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons, Ibis and Formule 1) as well as backpacker hostels, travel agencies, restaurants and casinos; - Services to corporate clients and public institutions: 21 million people in 35 countries benefit from Accor Services’ products – employee assistance programs, people care and services, incentive, loyalty programs, events, food vouchers.

 Printable Version  | published Aug 24, 2006