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Future Rooms: Novotel Launches Next Guest Room

Accor’s Novotel brand has unveiled an innovative guestroom concept with the opening of the 370-key Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit. The new Novotel Next guestroom includes a plethora of features designed to “re-humanise” the travel experience and reenergise guests. The new design concept will be rolled out to the entire network of 400 Novotels over the next five to seven years.

The design is meant to give an impression of spaciousness and freedom of movement through the use of transparency. The guestroom no longer has physical separators, instead featuring an open plan that encourages guests to create their own spaces and atmosphere.

The bathroom is separated from the rest of the room by a high-tech transparent glass partition that becomes opaque at the flick of a switch to either create a feeling of light and spaciousness within the room or provide privacy when needed.

The bed is raised and enthroned by an upholstered headboard that follows the contours of the back when leaned against, accompanied by individual swiveling reading lights and framed with soft lighting. A versatile side table can be drawn to the bed to be used as a desk for work, a table for in-bed dining or a place to rest a book while reading.

The rooms also include 81cm flat-screen televisions, Internet access and a TV uplink panel.

The design is accented by a timeless color scheme, highlighted with touches of red, yellow or blue.

“An enormous amount of thought, research and testing has been invested in this innovative new room, and when combined with the multitude of unique products that make up Novotel today, will ensure that the brand retains its leading position as a reference for upper midscale hotels around the world,” says Frederic Josenhans, senior vice president of marketing and brand development for Accor.

Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit, the tenth Novotel in Thailand, will target both business and leisure travellers. Amenities include Novotel’s signature all-day dining and buffet restaurant called The Square, plus several multifunction rooms and a ballroom with capacity for 210.

Accor operates 86 Novotel properties in the Asia Pacific, with additional openings expected this year in Nanjing and Guiyang, China; Bangalore and Vizag, India; Auckland; Bangkok; and Hoi An, Vietnam.