Accor Signs Sofitel Legend & Grand Mercure at UNESCO Site in the Heart of Wuxi

Accor has announced the signing of two new flagship properties on the banks of the Wuxi Ancient Canal – a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Wuxi in Jiangsu Province, China. Sofitel Legend Wuxi and Grand Mercure Wuxi will be developed by Accor in partnership with Wuxi Liangxi Culture & Tourism Development Group. The two projects will support infrastructure growth in Liangxi District and raise the bar for luxury and premium hospitality experiences in the affluent and historic city.

Celebration

“We are immensely pleased to create this powerful hotel combination that will create a diverse hospitality experience with prestigious luxury and premium offerings, while further strengthening Accor’s presence in Jiangsu Province and the Yangtze River Delta,” said Gary Rosen, CEO, Accor Greater China. “Sofitel Legend will welcome guests with French inspired luxury while unfolding the rich legacy and stories of this ancient region. Grand Mercure is a brand with deep roots in China, where visitors will appreciate its immersive experiences that beautifully embrace national culture and stimulate the senses. These extraordinary brands will significantly elevate the hospitality experiences available to visitors in the heart of Wuxi.”

Sofitel Legend Wuxi will reside alongside the Qingming Bridge and vibrant Nanchang Street, overlooking the UNESCO site. The landmark luxury hotel will feature 75 spacious guestrooms across six floors, a hidden garden oasis, and a sumptuous blend of Jiangnan culture and the brand’s French sophistication. Next door at 1 Yongfeng Road, the former Nanchang District Government Building will be transformed into Grand Mercure Wuxi, with 200-guestrooms, 13-storeys, and a discerning and cultured guest experience.

“We are honored to bring the Sofitel Legend brand to the heart of Wuxi, a city of remarkable cultural depth and economic vitality. Nestled along the UNESCO-listed Ancient Canal, Sofitel Legend Wuxi will embody the timeless elegance and storied legacy that define our most iconic addresses. This project is a powerful expression of our commitment to celebrating local heritage through French-inspired hospitality. We are proud to collaborate with Wuxi Liangxi Culture & Tourism Development Group to shape a new chapter for luxury travel in Jiangsu Province,” said Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems.

Perched on the shores of Taihu Lake, Wuxi attracts millions of visitors, drawn to the area’s rich resources, strong economy, popular cuisine, and profound cultural heritage. The Wuxi Ancient Canal is an integral part of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, a vast waterway connecting the north and south of the country that shaped the development of Wuxi as a commercial region. Today, Wuxi shines as an economic jewel of the Yangtze River Delta. With a per capita GDP ranking among the highest in China, the city is a thriving manufacturing base, empowered by tech innovation and home to over 3,000 Internet of Things (IoT) companies. Within easy access of Suzhou and Shanghai, visitors invariably travel through the Liangxi district, the political, economic and cultural center of Wuxi, with its commercial and transport center, subway hub and connections to the airport and railway stations.

“The development of these two distinguished hotels will bring fresh energy and inspiration to Liangxi District. We are especially pleased to work with Accor and benefit from their global operational experience and local cultural resources,” said a representative of Wuxi Liangxi Culture & Tourism Development Group. “The renowned Sofitel Legend brand is ideal for the culturally rich Liangxi District and Wuxi as a whole, and will be of strategic importance to both parties, while the addition of Grand Mercure will be a perfect complement to further enrich the comprehensive experience of  business and cultural tourism we are building – supporting Wuxi on its path to becoming a culturally and economically important global destination.”

Sofitel Legend weaves a tapestry of unparalleled destinations and timeless landmark addresses, handpicked with care. Sofitel Legend Wuxi will be the brand’s second address in the country, with its first Chinese destination at Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel in Xi’an. Globally, the brand’s portfolio includes: Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi, Vietnam; Sofitel Legend Old Cataract in Aswan, Egypt; Sofitel Legend The Grand in Amsterdam; Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo in Panama City, Panama; and Sofitel Legend Santa Clara in Cartagena, Colombia. An additional three properties are currently in development in Prague, Czech Republic; Giza, Egypt; and Jaipur, India.

Grand Mercure is present in over 10 countries with a portfolio of 80+ hotels. Each hotel is unique and authentically reflects its destination by embracing the local way of life, infusing age-old traditions with modern flair. Guests are invited to connect with the destination’s national heritage through locally inspired dishes, beverage ceremonies, wellbeing traditions, and thoughtful design. The brand is ambitiously growing, with a portfolio of nearly 30 Grand Mercure hotels open and operating in Greater China – accounting for over a third of the brand’s global portfolio – along with 50+ addresses in development.