Sofitel New York To Celebrate National Cheese Day, June 4, With Pop-Up Shop With Murray's Cheese To Benefit The Bowery Mission

Selections include artisanal cheeses from France, Holland and Vermont

 Sofitel New York is once again partnering with Murray’s Cheese, New York City’s oldest cheese shop, for National Cheese Day on Saturday, June 4.Une petite fromagerie will be open from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the hotel’s signature restaurant, Gaby Brasserie Française. Donations are welcome and will benefit The Bowery Mission in its goal to provide help and hope to the homeless and impoverished of New York City.

Guests will enjoy tastings of select artisanal cheeses and receive assistance from a cheesemonger, knowledgeable in the finer points of cheese, as they make their choices. Selections will include a Ewephoria Sheep Milk Gouda from Holland; three cheeses from France, including a Comté Saint Antoinecow’s-milk cheese, a Tomme Crayeuse cow’s-milk cheese and a Saint-Maure de Touraine pasteurized chevre; and two cheeses from Vermont, which include a Jasper Hill Farm Bayley Hazen Blue and a Spring Brook, Reading cow’s-milk cheese.

Reservations may be made by calling 212-782-3040. For more information, visit gabynyrestaurant.com.

About Sofitel New York

Sofitel New York, part of AccorHotels group, is a stylish Midtown hotel with a decidedly French accent in its contemporary décor, sophisticated artwork, brasserie cuisine and cosmopolitan service. It features 398 guest rooms, including 52 suites; function space that serves small to mid-sized events; and an outstanding brasserie, Gaby Restaurant, whose French executive chef has won the Food Network show Chopped among other accolades. Sofitel New York is ideally located at 45 West 44^thStreet, affording easy access to Fifth Avenue and the Times Square theater district. For reservations, call 800-SOFITEL (763-4835) or visit http://www.sofitel-new-york.com/.

About The Bowery Mission

The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry New Yorkers since 1879. This year, The Bowery Mission provided more than 406,000 meals to men, women and children, 91,000 nights of shelter and 44,000 articles of clothing, as well as showers, haircuts, and expert medical and optometric care. Each meal and every night of shelter is an invitation to residential recovery programs, where men and women get a second chance and lives are transformed from hopelessness to hope. Last year, the Mission’s residential programs served nearly 300 men and women who are regaining sobriety, reconnecting with family and faith, pursuing educational goals, and preparing for work and independent living. To ensure that at-risk children have a positive first chance at life, The Bowery Mission’s city camp and summer camp serves nearly 1,200 at-risk children from poor city neighborhoods. www.bowery.org

Revealed By Sofitel Comes To Beijing, Shanghai And Guangzhou

Sofitel Luxury Hotels is launching the compelling photo exhibition “Revealed” to China for the first time - taking an intimate look at the world’s greatest modern artists at work as they reveal themselves to the photographer. Olivier Widmaier Picasso, grandson of Pablo Picasso and author of Picasso, Portrait Intime (Albin Michel/Arte éditions), has curated the exhibition, hand-selecting 30 photographs from the archives of Paris Match, the famous French weekly magazine.

This worldwide exhibition will be showcased at three Sofitel hotels in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in China from September onwards. The China exhibitions are part of a world tour that has already been to five cities in North America and five in Europe. Aside from China, “Revealed” will also take place this year in Bangkok, Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne.

Among the prized photographs to be displayed is a black-and-white image of Pablo Picasso eyeing a Dalmatian longing to climb upon his lap; Salvador Dalí seen sitting in an animal exhibit at the Paris Zoo; Jeff Koons styling a BMW for the 24 Hours of Le Mans; Pierre Soulages crouching over a work in progress; Kees Van Dongen painting a posing Brigitte Bardot; and other striking images depicting Rene Magritte, Marc Chagall, Fernando Botero, Joan Miro, Jean Cocteau, Francis Bacon, and more.

“As an international ambassador of French elegance, Sofitel links its collection of addresses with culture, and collaborates with celebrated artists, writers and photographers,” says Michel Molliet, Senior Vice President, Operations, Luxury and Upscale, AccorHotels Greater China.

““Revealed” offers a glimpse behind-the-scenes at the artistic process as inspiration comes to life through expression. It is my distinct pleasure to bring “Revealed” to China as this compelling exhibition takes an intimate look at the world’s greatest modern artists at work: from Picasso to Dali, Chagall to Jeff Koons, Miró to Matisse.”

To launch the “Revealed” exhibitions in China, Olivier Widmaier Picasso will be in Beijing to personally meet guests and open the exhibition on September 1st, 2015. “We are delighted to have been able to draw on the talent of Olivier Widmaier Picasso and to have him in Beijing in person to launch “Revealed”,” continues Michel Molliet. “We are also proud to uphold Sofitel’s pillar of culture, which together with gastronomy, design and well-being combines into the French art de vivre that flows through our 120 Sofitel addresses on five continents.”

“Revealed” by Sofitel will be on exhibit in the following hotels in China throughout the Autumn of 2015 at:

Sofitel Beijing Wanda – September 1, 2015 to September 20, 2015
Sofitel Shanghai Hyland – October 13, 2015 to November 2, 2015
Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich – November 13, 2015 to December 3, 2015

New Philly Hotel Deal Offers VIP Access To Must-See Impressionism Exhibit At The Philadelphia Museum Of Art This Summer; Discovering The Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel And The New Painting

The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has partnered with 15 area hotels to offer a one-night Discovering the Impressionists Hotel Package, which includes two visit-anytime tickets for its summer exhibition,Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel and the New Painting, on view from June 24 through September 13, 2015. Philadelphia is the only U.S. city to showcase the blockbuster show, featuring nearly 100 works by Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Degas, Manet, Cassatt and others.

In addition to the one-night hotel stay and two VIP tickets for the exhibit, the package includes special discounts for select museum gift shops and a complimentary dessert with a Chef’s Table meal at the museum’s Granite Hill restaurant. The package is bookable at visitphilly.com/impressionists. Here is a list of hotels offering the package:

OLD CITY:

Hotel: Sheraton Society Hill, 1 Dock Street
Other Perks: Overnight parking
Rates: Starting at $229 per night
Book: sheratonphiladelphiasocietyhill.com, (800) 325-3535

Hotel: Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District, 400 Arch Street
Other Perks: Free overnight parking
Rates: Weekend rate starting at $229 per night; weekday rate starting at $199 per night
Book: phillydowntownhotel.com, (877) 999-3223

CENTER CITY:

Hotel: Alexander Inn, 301 S. 12th Street
Other Perks: Complimentary continental breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi and discounted
parking nearby
Rates: $189-$219 per night
Book: alexanderinn.com, (877) ALEX-INN

Hotel: Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown, 21 N. Juniper Street
Other Perks: 2:00 p.m. late checkout
Rates: Weekday rate starting at $219 per night; weekend rate starting at $409 per night
Book: marriott.com, (888) 887-8130

Hotel: Embassy Suites Philadelphia – Center City, 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Other Perks: Two-room suite with balcony, cooked-to-order breakfast for two and complimentary cocktail reception every evening, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Rates: Weekend rate starting at $224 per night; weekday rate starting at $244 per night
Book: embassysuites3.hilton.com, (800) EMBASSY

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Midtown, 1305 Walnut Street
Other Perks: Complimentary hot deluxe breakfast buffet and free Wi-Fi
Rate: Contact hotel
Book: himidtown.com, (888) 5MIDTOWN

Hotel: Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street
Other Perks: 2:00 p.m. late checkout
Rates: $229-$389
Book: marriott.com, (800) 320-5744

Hotel: Residence Inn by Marriott, 1 Penn Square East
Other Perks: 2:00 p.m. late checkout
Rates: Contact hotel
Book: marriott.com, (800) 331-3131

Hotel: The Rittenhouse, 210 West Rittenhouse Square
Other Perks: Breakfast for two, excluding Sunday brunch and room service
Rates: Starting at $349 per night
Book: rittenhousehotel.com, (800) 635-1042

Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, 10 Avenue of the Arts
Other Perks: $50 food and beverage credit, 2:00 p.m. late checkout
Rates: Contact the hotel
Book: ritzcarlton.com, (800) 542-8680

Hotel: Sofitel Philadelphia, 120 S. 17th Street
Other Perks: Breakfast for two in Chez Colette and two welcome drinks in Liberte Lounge
Rates: Contact hotel
Booking: (215) 564-4108

Hotel: Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia, 1800 Market Street
Other Perks: Overnight valet parking
Rates: Starting at $204 per night
Book: sonesta.com/philadelphia, (215) 561-7500

BEYOND CENTER CITY:

Hotel: Courtyard Philadelphia South at the Navy Yard, 1001 Intrepid Avenue
Other Perks: 2:00 p.m. late checkout
Rates: $219 per night on weekdays; $409 per night on weekends
Book: marriott.com, (877) 895-0593

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Philadelphia West, 4010 City Avenue
Other Perks: Overnight parking and breakfast buffet for two
Rates: Starting at $215 per night
Book: cpphilawest.com/packages-rates, (800) 439-4745

Hotel: The Inn at Penn, A Hilton Hotel, 3600 Sansom Street
Other Perks: Full breakfast for two
Rates: Weekend rate starting at $249 per night; weekday rate starting at $269 per night
Book: theinnatpenn.com, (800) HILTONS

The With Art Philadelphia® collaborative is a first-of-its-kind partnership to position Philadelphia among the world’s great art destinations and to increase visitation to the region from around the world. The groups contributing financial and other resources to the campaign are: the City of Philadelphia, VISIT PHILADELPHIA, Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology), Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The Lenfest Foundation, William Penn Foundation, Knight Foundation, Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, PNC and PECO.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to Hear Philly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

Sofitel New York & Murray’s Cheese To Celebrate National Cheese Day, June 4, With Pop-Up Shop Benefiting Citymeals-On-Wheels

Say ‘fromage’:

Selections include French and local artisanal cheeses;

Restaurant and bar guests will receive a complimentary brie en croute to celebrate

National Cheese Day, June 4, Sofitel New York has partnered with famed Murray’s Cheese to openune petite fromagerie from 4-8 p.m. in the hotel’s signature restaurant, Gaby Brasserie Française. Murray’s Cheese is New York City’s oldest cheese shop and has been named Best Cheese Shop in the World by Forbes.com and msnbc.com. Donations are welcome and will benefit Citymeals-on-Wheels to aid in its mission to provide nutritious food and human company to homebound elderly New Yorkers.

A cheesemonger knowledgeable in the finer points of cheese will offer tastings and assist guests in making their choices among the French and local artisanal cheeses. Selections will include aBucheron goat’s-milk cheese from France, a St. Stephen’s cow’s-milk triple cream from New York, a Brebirousse d’Argental sheep’s-milk cheese from France, a Comte Saint Antoine cow’s-milk cheese from France, a Fourme d’Ambert cow’s-milk cheese from France, and a Tarentaise cow’s milk cheese from Vermont.

Diners at Gaby and patrons of Gaby Bar will be treated to a complimentary brie en croute with four-red-fruit jam.

Earlier this year, the hotel created a pop-up boulangerie on National French Bread Day that generated over $500 for City Harvest.

For more information or dinner reservations, call 212-782-3091 or visit www.sofitel.com.

About Sofitel New York

Sofitel New York is a stylish Midtown hotel with a decidedly French accent in its contemporary décor, sophisticated artwork, brasserie cuisine, and cosmopolitan service. It features 398 guest rooms, including 52 suites; function space that serves small to mid-sized events; and an outstanding brasserie, Gaby, whose French executive chef has won the Food Network show Chopped among other accolades. Sofitel New York is ideally located at 45 West 44^th Street, affording easy access to Fifth Avenue and the Times Square theater district. For reservations, call 800-SOFITEL (763-4835) or visit www.sofitel.com.

Hotel Inauguration: Sofitel Abidjan, Ivory Coast

INAUGURATION OF THE NEW WING OF SOFITEL ABIDJAN HOTEL IVOIRE

The new wing of the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire was inaugurated on Friday 15 May, in the presence of H.E. the Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire, M. Daniel Kablan Duncan; M. Tiemoko Yadé, President of the Economic and Social Council; M. Amadou GON Coulibaly, Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency; M. Amon Tanoh, Minister, Chief of Staff of the President; M. Roger Kacou, Minister of Tourism, distinguished Members of the Government and representatives of the company « Palaces de Cocody » (SPDC).

Located in the upscale neighborhood of Cocody, the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire is a legendary oasis combining French luxury with African culture. Overlooking the Ebrié lagoon and the Plateau, this 5-star hotel stands majestically in a lush setting amidst greenery and water. Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, meeting the requirements of all customer segments, becomes the Sofitel reference in West Africa and consolidates the presence of the Accor Group in the region, which now has 17 Sofitel hotels in Africa and the Indian Ocean.

« We are very pleased on this inauguration day. It is a great moment for Abidjan and Côte d’Ivoire to see the achievement of the renovation of the second building of this hotel managed by Accor under the Sofitel brand. The hotel is once again a reference of hospitality in Africa. », declared Mr. Thierry de Jaham, General Manager of Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire.

The Director General of SDPC, Ms. Maférima Diarassouba, said «By appealing to the Accor Group, the company « Palaces de Cocody » sought to strive for excellence in the renovation as well as in the management of this historic hotel in Abidjan."

This exclusive hotel in Côte d’Ivoire was built by architect Moshe Mayer in 1963. The Tower Hotel has been beautifully restored in 2011 by architect Pierre Fakhoury, who continued the works in the Main Building. In July 2012, attended by representatives of the Ivorian government, SPDC and Accor signed a management contract, entrusting the fate of the hotel to Sofitel from 1 January 2013.

The renovation of the Main Building completed, the iconic hotel today offers a harmonious blending of the Sofitel brand’s expertise with the best of Ivorian traditions.

Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire offers 392 rooms, including 121 suites, 1 presidential suite and 31 apartments, with a total capacity of 423 keys.
For the interior, Pierre Fakhoury has enlisted the services of French-Argentine designer Luis Laplace. The force of nature, bright colors, the materials such as gold and wood, are all symbols integrated in the decoration. The art of composition reflected in the patterns of Ivorian fabrics, geometry shapes and simplicity inspired the designer.

Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire now has four restaurants. In addition to « Le Toit d’Abidjan » - located on the 23rd floor, offering panoramic views of the city and the Ebrié lagoon– and « La Gourmandise » at the heart of the hotel, where African poetry meets French flavors, guests will find « Le Pavillon », a typically Ivorian restaurant, and finally « La Brasserie Française » offering the great classics of the French cuisine.

This offer is completed by the pool lounge, « L’Oasis », and 2 bars, « Cocoa Lounge » in the Tower and « Link bar » in the Main Building, a shopping mall with 11 shops and a 3D cinema with 386 seats.
The hotel also offers 20 meeting rooms including 9 new rooms, all equipped with high- tech audiovisual equipment. Next to the hotel, the Abidjan Convention Centre features an auditorium with 1,650 seats.
Guests who are PLATINUM Members of the Club Accorhotels loyalty program, looking for exclusivity, will benefit from the services of the Millésime Club at the Mezzanine.

Finally, the So SPA, 1,200 square meters dedicated to well-being, will be opening soon.