Sofitel Expands into Africa with New Luxury Hotel in Benin

Sofitel Expands into Africa with New Luxury Hotel in Benin

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 29, 2024

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa in Benin, marking a significant step in the brand’s growth across Africa. Located on Benin’s scenic coastline, this new addition showcases Sofitel’s blend of French elegance and local Beninese culture. As the brand’s 16th property in Africa, this hotel represents Sofitel’s commitment to expanding its presence on the continent, where the hospitality sector is rapidly growing.

Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, MGallery, and Emblems, shared her excitement about the opening: “A pioneer of French luxury hospitality for 60 years, Sofitel today embodies refined and committed luxury, blending French elegance with a strong local presence. I am delighted to announce the opening of this first Sofitel in Benin, where I hope each of our guests will discover the magic of the French art de vivre, enriched by Beninese culture. I would like to warmly thank everyone who contributed to the opening of this flagship, which also marks our commitment to expanding on the African continent, a market with immense potential.”

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Sofitel’s entry into Benin is part of its larger strategy to expand in Africa, a continent experiencing fast-paced urbanization and economic growth. With cities emerging as cultural and economic hubs, Africa is attracting increased interest from the hospitality sector. By 2050, Africa’s population is expected to exceed 2.5 billion, driving growth in tourism and business travel. Sofitel’s new hotel in Benin aligns with the brand’s focus on providing luxury experiences in key African markets.

Benin is positioning itself as a top destination for both tourism and business, with its rich cultural heritage and stable political environment. The Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa is located in the heart of Cotonou, the country’s economic capital, near landmarks such as the Esplanade of the Amazons and the Route des Pêches. The hotel’s prime location, just five minutes from Cotonou International Airport, makes it ideal for business travelers and tourists alike.

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The government of Benin has launched the national tourism identity, “Benin: A World of Wonders,” to attract more international visitors. This initiative aims to highlight the country’s natural beauty and cultural significance. Sofitel’s new hotel is set to play a key role in supporting this vision, offering world-class amenities and services that cater to both domestic and international guests.

The Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa features 198 luxurious rooms, including 14 suites and five duplex suites with private pools. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and city, along with top-tier facilities such as five dining venues, a 1,000-square-meter spa, and a state-of-the-art convention center.

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Dining options include Vivo, which serves Levantine cuisine, and Corniche, a Mediterranean restaurant and pool bar. For a more refined experience, L’ami offers French-inspired dishes with a Beninese twist, prepared by Michelin-starred chef Georgiana Viou. The hotel’s Pavillon also boasts two cinemas and a casino, adding to the entertainment options for guests.

Business travelers can take advantage of the hotel’s large convention center, featuring nine meeting rooms, including the newly renovated Dôme, Cotonou’s only international conference center, which can host up to 700 guests.

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With the opening of this flagship hotel, Sofitel not only strengthens its luxury brand presence in Africa but also supports Benin’s growing role as a cultural and economic hub in West Africa. The hotel will also contribute to the local economy by recruiting 90% of its staff from Benin, reflecting the brand’s commitment to supporting the local community.

Juliette Peron, General Manager of Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa, noted: “Together with our institutional partners, we have been able to recruit 90% of our talent from Benin. The quality and attention to detail that we have developed will make this hotel a unique location that will contribute to strengthening the brand internationally and promoting Benin as a prime destination.”


JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Crafts a Multi-Sensory Valentine’s Celebration

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Crafts a Multi-Sensory Valentine’s Celebration

By Hariharan U

Published on February 11, 2026

This Valentine’s season, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar brings together its expansive culinary and wellness portfolio to create a celebration that goes beyond a single evening, positioning the hotel as a complete destination for romance, indulgence and meaningful connection.

 Across venues including EL, Romano’s, BarQat, JW Café, AUTMJW Lounge and the Spa by JW, guests can explore a thoughtfully curated mix of experiences ranging from craft-led cocktails and indulgent buffets to classic Italian dinners and restorative couple wellness rituals. At the rooftop lounge EL, modern mixology takes centre stage against a sunset-lit skyline, complemented by live violin performances, a limited-edition cocktail menu and interactive moments with the bar team, along with an inclusive handwritten note exchange that allows guests to leave messages of love or kindness for fellow patrons.

JW Café adds to the spirit with a specially designed Valentine’s dinner buffet, a Love Wall for personal wishes and Zodiac-inspired cocktails, while Romano’s offers couples a refined Italian dining experience rooted in warmth, elegance and lingering conversations. BarQat approaches the celebration through a poetic lens, pairing a curated set menu and emotion-inspired cocktails with interactive elements like the Tree of Love, where handwritten notes gradually form a living tribute to shared sentiments.

 AUTM – JW Lounge rounds off the week with comforting signature hot chocolate styles, while the Spa by JW introduces exclusive couple therapies, including a 90-minute personalised massage or a 120-minute ritual combining massage, scrub and couple bath. Together, these experiences transform JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar into a seamless Valentine’s retreat centred on togetherness, indulgence and lasting memories


CGH Earth Saha Launches Pollachi Riverhouse, a Private Riverside Villa in Tamil Nadu

CGH Earth Saha Launches Pollachi Riverhouse, a Private Riverside Villa in Tamil Nadu

By Hariharan U

Published on February 7, 2026

CGH Earth Saha has expanded its Handpicked Escapes portfolio with the launch of Pollachi Riverhouse, an exclusive three-bedroom private pool villa set along a tranquil river amid coconut groves and fertile plains of Tamil Nadu. Located around a 1.5-hour drive from Coimbatore and close to the Anamalai hills, the single-key retreat is designed for families and small groups seeking privacy, space and an unhurried countryside experience. Surrounded by Pollachi’s lush agricultural landscape, the villa captures the region’s pastoral rhythm, with views of coconut farms, open fields and the Western Ghats forming a serene backdrop.

The architecture is shaped around its riverside setting, opening seamlessly to lawns, water views and outdoor living spaces. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors connect the living areas to the outdoors, allowing natural light, greenery and the gentle sound of the river to define the stay. Clean, contemporary interiors are softened with rustic textures and antique-inspired furnishings, while the infinity pool flows into manicured lawns that meet the river’s edge, creating an ideal setting for relaxed gatherings, picnics and evening barbecues.

Dining at Pollachi Riverhouse highlights the culinary heritage of the region, with authentic Kongunadu dishes prepared using locally sourced produce, traditional spices and time-honoured recipes that reflect Tamil Nadu’s agrarian culture. Beyond the villa, guests can explore nearby Topslip and Parambikulam Tiger Reserves, or engage with local communities through experiences such as palm sugar making, palm-leaf weaving and visits to Pollachi’s well-known handloom centres.

Positioned as more than a stay, Pollachi Riverhouse offers an immersive experience rooted in nature, culture and quiet luxury, reinforcing CGH Earth Saha’s focus on intimate, home-style escapes across South India.


Sterling Launches Valley of Pine, Lansdowne, Strengthening Its Uttarakhand Footprint

Sterling Launches Valley of Pine, Lansdowne, Strengthening Its Uttarakhand Footprint

By Hariharan U

Published on February 6, 2026

Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the launch of Sterling Valley of Pine, Lansdowne, a boutique mountain retreat nestled amid dense pine forests near Gumkhal, marking the brand’s ninth resort in Uttarakhand. Designed as an off-the-grid escape, the property is aimed at travellers seeking slower, more meaningful stays surrounded by nature, with warm pinewood interiors, open terraces, and uninterrupted valley views.

All rooms feature private balconies overlooking forested landscapes, while select indulgent havens offer access to open terraces facing the pool and the valley beyond. The retreat is positioned for leisure holidays, workcations, leadership offsites, and intimate celebrations, while also fitting seamlessly into Sterling’s wider Uttarakhand circuit for drive-to travellers from Delhi NCR and Western Uttar Pradesh.

The guest experience revolves around food, togetherness, and time outdoors, supported by three signature spaces: Lans Café, an all-day dining venue with valley and garden views; Sky Social, an open-air terrace for sunset gatherings, bonfires, and small celebrations; and Sky Vista, a glass-walled meeting venue overlooking the forests, designed for focused offsites and workshops.

Commenting on the launch, Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts, said the new property adds a calmer, more design-led dimension to Sterling’s mountain portfolio while strengthening its presence across Uttarakhand’s key destinations. Ms. Meghna Bhatnagar of Dev Bhoomi added that partnering with Sterling brings refined hospitality and national scale to their Lansdowne vision.

With curated regional cuisine, a swimming pool, wellness facilities, guided nature walks, bonfire evenings, and pet-friendly stays, Sterling Valley of Pine, Lansdowne offers a well-rounded forest retreat within easy driving distance of Rishikesh, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainital, and Jim Corbett National Park.

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