AccorHotels has announced it will take over the management of the iconic Le Méridien Tahiti and rebrand it as Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel.

Owned by Grey Investment Group since 2012, the hotel located on the West coast of the island, has handed over the management of the hotel to AccorHotels, effective October 15, 2018.

AccorHotels and Grey Investment Group have forged a long-term relationship through sale and manage-back agreements. AccorHotels sold off its French Polynesian resort portfolio to the Grey Investment Group in December 2015, yet continued to manage-back the resorts.

Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel is the fourth hotel to be managed by Accor Hotels for the Grey Investment Group in French Polynesia, joining Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort, Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort and Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island.

Senior Vice President Operations, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, Gillian Millar said, “AccorHotels are thrilled to be chosen to manage another resort in French Polynesia for the Grey Investment Group and we are excited to undergo a rebrand of this iconic resort.”

“AccorHotels' history with the country dates back to 1969 and shows our commitment to this amazing destination. The resort has tremendous potential - from its prime location at the edge of the Punaauia lagoon, to its sprawling grounds and large white sand pool. We plan to bring our know-how and strong service culture, mixing the Polynesian sense of welcome and the French art-de-vivre,” concluded Gillian.

Grey Investment Group has an ambitious vision for the hotel and has scheduled a major overhaul in the coming months with the reopening of the renovated overwater bungalows, and upgrade of the ballroom and restaurants outlets.

Built in 1998, the newly rebranded Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel is located on a premium beachfront property rich in history and legends for the Polynesians, currently offering 149 guestrooms, two restaurants and three meeting rooms.

About Grey Investment Group

Founded in 1937, Samoan based Grey Investment Group has been involved in successful ventures in the South Pacific for over 75 years, starting with the iconic Aggie Grey's Hotel.

The group's recent activities include investments in Virgin Samoa Airlines, the acquisition of the Le Méridien Hotel Tahiti in 2012 and the Sofitel French Polynesia Hotels in 2015. Its other investments include manufacturing of exported Artesian Water, diverse food supplies, banking, gas, airline catering, inbound tour operating and real estate in New Zealand. The Grey Investment Group continues to develop their portfolio in the Pacific region, as it looks to diversify and grow in emerging markets to add to its rapidly expanding asset base. The Group now employs close to 2,000 full time employees in the Pacific region.

About Sofitel

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is an ambassador of modern French style, culture and art-de-vivre around the world. Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France with over 120 chic and remarkable hotels in the world's most sought after destinations. Sofitel exudes a refined and understated sense of modern luxury, always blending a touch of French decadence with the very best of the locale. The Sofitel collection includes such notable hotels as Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, Sofitel London St James, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. Sofitel is part of AccorHotels, a world-leading travel and lifestyle group which invites travelers to feel welcome at more than 4,500 hotels, resorts and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.

sofitel.com | accorhotels.com