Sofitel Chicago voted “world’s best hotel” in Expedia poll; Sofitel Wentworth Sydney voted ‘Best Deluxe property”by AHA

A wining weekend for Sofitel hotels as Chicago exceeds expectations to win on Expedia’s Insiders’ Select List and Sofitel Sydney Wentworth secures AHA Deluxe Hotel award win

May 12, 2008 – It was a great weekend for Sofitel Internationally and locally with locally also with Sofitel Chicago Water Tower receiving top recognition on the second annual Insider’s Select™ list of the world’s best hotels, unveiled by Expedia®, and Sofitel Sydney Wentworth closer to home voted ‘Best Deluxe Property’ at the Australian Hotel Association (NSW) Awards, winning the award ahead of other 5-star hotels such as the Park Hyatt, Shanrri-La, Westin, Marriott and Hilton.

Of the 899 worldwide hotel properties listed, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower captured the No. 1 spot. Ten other Sofitel Luxury Hotel properties were also recognized including: Sofitel New York; Sofitel Los Angeles; Sofitel Minneapolis; Sofitel Montreal; Sofitel Palais Jamai; Sofitel Strasbourg; Sofitel The Grand Amsterdam; Sofitel Lisboa; Sofitel Roma; and Sofitel Berlin Schweizerhof.

“It is an honor to have Sofitel Chicago Water Tower recognized as the top-rated hotel globally by Expedia and its travelers,” said David O’Shaughnessy, senior vice president Sofitel North and South America. “We are proud of the rankings of all the Sofitel properties worldwide. It is our first priority to deliver an exceptional experience to all of our guests by implementing Sofitel’s philosophy – Life is Magnifique. We are grateful to have their positive feedback, trust and loyalty.”

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower boasts a central downtown location, minutes from the Magnificent Mile, the Museum of Contemporary Art and trendy boutiques. Designed by world-renowned French architect Jean-Paul Viguier, the hotel embraces modern design and the rich architectural legacy of Chicago. The 32-floored prism of glass houses 415 rooms, including 33 luxurious suites, and is recognized as a structural gem among the city’s prominent skyline. The Café des Architects restaurant lends international flavor as a modern French brasserie, and Le Bar entertains mingling travelers and neighborhood patron

The Insiders’ Select™ list is comprised of the top hotels from among a selection of nearly 80,000 properties worldwide available on Expedia, the world’s leading online travel company. Using a weighted mathematical formula, Expedia compiled the list based on its travelers’ reviews, a value rating system and local expertise and insight from hundreds of Expedia employees in destinations throughout the world.

Among all hotels listed, Sofitel Luxury Hotel properties ranked highest in their respective locations in Los Angeles, New York, France and Morocco. All properties that made the list were noted for consistently delivering excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value.

About Sofitel:

Sofitel reinvents French elegance in its hotels throughout the world.

Sofitel is the only French Luxury Hotel brand with a presence on five continents, in more than 50 countries. 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.