Last week (20 June) Auckland welcomed the latest addition to Viaduct Harbour with the official launch of the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour.

The official launch follows on from the hotel’s soft opening in February this year.

The occasion was marked in spectacular style with a traditional Sabrage Champagne ceremony performed by Ian Alexandre, Vice President for Sofitel Pacific.

The ceremony was deemed a ‘toast’ to the brand’s French origins (Napoleon famously gave his officers bottles of champagne which as a gesture of celebration they beheaded with their swords), and a nod to the hotel’s newly unveiled Champagne bar bearing the same name, Sabrage.

Alexandre was joined by visiting luminaries from the world famous hotel network, including regional Vice President for Asia Pacific Markland Blaiklock, and local VIP guests to unveil the hotel’s world class features and herald a new era as a Sofitel Luxury Hotel.

With fine cuisine, Champagne, French cheese and wine a highlight of the launch event, the hotel took the opportunity to introduce new executive chef Scott Brown, formerly of New Zealand’s Huka Lodge, to guests.  Brown will oversee all dining requirements at the hotel, including its new signature waterfront restaurant, Lava Dining.

The newly-opened Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour (above) is the second Sofitel hotel to open in New Zealand following the Sofitel Hotel and Spa, Queenstown.

“After several months to settle the hotel into its new Sofitel branding, we’re very excited to officially launch in such elegance and style,” said area general manager, Sofitel New Zealand and general manager, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Wouter De Graaf, “Our aspiration is for Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour to become the place to be and to be seen – to stay, to socialise, to dine, to entertain and to do business.”

Offering marina and city skyline views, the property is the second Sofitel luxury hotel in New Zealand, joining the acclaimed Sofitel Hotel and Spa, Queenstown. Features of the hotel include 172 bedrooms and suites, all featuring private balconies, floor to ceiling windows and oversized bathrooms with separate rain showers. Every room includes Sofitel’s famous ‘MyBed’, a personal espresso machine and LCD television.

The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour makes the most of its waterfront location, with its own pontoon for yachts and water taxis.