Hong Kong, 16 Oct 2009 � The second half of 2009 welcomes true excitement for Sofitel as they are welcome two new General Managers for in two hotels in China: Mr. David Baldwin for Sofitel Dongguan West Oriental, effective from 12th October, 2009, and Mr. Christophe Lauras for Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich, effective from 15th October, 2009.

New GM appointment for Sofitel Dongguan West Oriental:

Mr. David Baldwin

Graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, David started his career in the hospitality industry with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in Newport Beach, and San Francisco, California.

Partaking in a brand new project appears to be a compelling adventure for the ambitious soul. David later joined Ian Schrager Hotels in New York, serving as General Manager of their first two properties, Morgans, followed by the Royalton.

Always on the move, David set out for the world by putting himself on different continents with different hotel groups. He continued as a General Manager with Lancaster Hotels and Resorts in Houston and West Hollywood and had further postings in Miami Beach, Manila, Philippines, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Whilst the world is eyeing China, the same happened to David. He relocated to China in 2005 as Executive Assistant Manager of the 1,525-room Xianglu Grand Hotel in Xiamen, and joined Sofitel in early 2007 as Resident Manager of the Sofitel Shanghai Jin Jiang Oriental Pudong. He was later promoted to General Manager, his most recent posting. His next assignment will be in Sofitel Dongguan West Oriental � an abode that exudes quaint luxury.

New GM appointment for Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich: Mr. Christophe Lauras

Christophe is a graduate from the Hotel & Catering Institute in Dijon, France. Upon his successful completion of his studies, he held various food and beverage assignments with Relais & Chateaux, a distinguished name for luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants that speaks nothing but of exceptional quality.

In the last 20 years with Accor, Christophe worked in various overseas assignments since 1989. He started in New Caledonia with positions in Food & Beverage and Rooms. He then moved to Indonesia with subsequent General Manager postings for Novotel in Balikpapan and Medan, then moved to India to overlook Sofitel Ahmedabad and Sofitel Jodhpur.

In 2000, Christophe moved to China for the first time and was appointed General Manager of Novotel Wuhan. Following various projects out of Shanghai Corporate Office, he successfully completed a four-year venture as General Manager at Novotel Xinqiao Beijing. Christophe�s last position was General Manager at Sofitel Nanjing Galaxy, a 48-story tower that suggests ultra-modern luxury.

Expected to open in 2010, Christophe will lead the new Sofitel at the heart of Guangzhou�s Tianhe CBD with the unique French flair and generous hospitality which the group is known for.

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Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents, in more than 50 countries. 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, New York or Bangkok, or nestled away in a country landscape in French Polynesia or Brazil, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French art de vivre.

Discover Sofitel on www.sofitel.com Discover A|Club at Sofitel, the new worldwide Accor loyalty program on www.a-club.com

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Images on request

Press Relations Contact:

Hong Kong & Regional Cherie Lau, Account Manager +852 2521 1498 cherie@impactasia.com

China Beijing Office Foniz Wong, Account Executive +86 10 5869 1579 foniz@impactasia.com

Shanghai Office Liz Wu, Account Executive +86 21 5465 2311 liz@impactasia.com