Accor’s Hotel Formula 1 has made a name for affordable prices, convenient location and innovation. It is proud of its one-star grading. The brand is ideally positioned for travellers with restricted budgets, with its slogan: “Be smart, Stay smart”.
The brand continues setting industry benchmarks with the introduction of its sixth “cocoon” concept room at Hotel Formula 1 Nelspruit. The design received the ‘Best Interior Design’ award at the 2008 European Hotel Design Awards and was awarded the "Business Janus" label.
Zahra Peera, CEO of the Hotel Formula 1 Group in South Africa, says, “Times are changing fast and along with that so are the needs of our customers. The Hotel Formula 1 is undergoing a metamorphosis and is currently in its third year of a roll out plan of its new ‘cocoon’ concept room. Guests staying at Formula 1 hotels are assured that all their basic needs are catered for, as all our hotels recently received a one-star accreditation from the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, based on the comfort and quality accommodation that we provide.”
Hotel Formula 1 strongly believes in adding value to its guests’ experience without compromising the best value for money. It has made the strategic decision to invest in upgrading its hotels as well as develop, innovate and provide its guests with the best service and product. The softer, gentler design does not only mark a change in its appearance but also caters for an emerging female traveller.
Taking into consideration the expectations of guests, the teams introduced high technology features that were designed with a strong focus on sustainable development and which are aligned with Accor’s environmental and corporate social responsibility policies. These include:
“The use of space, based on flexibility, fluidity and well-being underlies the room’s design - its efficient organisation takes into account the various elements of everyday life. The cosy, ‘cocooning’ atmosphere is created by soft, soothing colours and a novel perception of light and materials. All the new state-of-the-stay features introduced in this concept, such as flat screen TV’s, are refreshing the brand’s identity and image and create a superior experience for our guests,” notes Peera.
“The new rooms have been positively received by guests who have stayed in the ‘cocoon’ concept rooms. One guest went as far as commenting that the comfort, design, look and feel of the new rooms is better than that of some of the three-star hotels that he has stayed at.
“Other elements that guests provided feedback on include the security offered by the new card systems, the flat screen televisions, climate control offered by the air-conditioners, the new wooden floors, the extra space under the beds for luggage and the breakfast area’s improved design and menu selection.
“The commitment of Hotel Formula 1 has always been to provide a warm comfortable atmosphere to its guests – hence its slogan ‘Be Smart, Stay Smart. Our guests view the investment made by Accor to renovate the Hotel Formula 1 rooms as a demonstration of our commitment to development in the industry and to our guests. We look forward to introducing these rooms to our customers around the country,” adds Peera.
The hotel brand has also launched an online booking service on its South African website, www.hotelformula1.co.za, to facilitate quick and easy reservations for its guests, while guests who prefer telephonic reservations can call 0861-Formula1.
Hotel Formula 1 takes pride in listening to its guests and taking their feedback into consideration, ensuring that their Hotel Formula 1 experience is safe, pleasant, convenient and comfortable.
The group is the benchmark of low-cost hotels in Africa. Peera say: “It is out of the ordinary that the extraordinary emerges – therefore change the way you see Hotel Formula 1.”
Accor is present in 90 countries with 4 200 hotels and more than 500 000 rooms. Its portfolio of hotel brands spans luxury to budget accommodation and includes: Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons/ibis styles, Etap Hotel/ibis budget, hotelF1 and Motel 6. The group has 145 000 employees worldwide and has been trading for nearly 45 years.
Hotel Formula 1 staff at the ribbon cutting image above are (from left): Anna Smit, financial director; Monique van Wyk, operations manager; Zahra Peera, CEO; and Freddie Claassens, manager of Hotel Formula 1 Nelspruit.
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