Accor has acquired the Sydney Wentworth Hotel, and plans to relaunch it under its Sofitel brand following a £12m refurbishment programme.

The Wentworth's owners, City Freeholds, have appointed Accor to take over the hotel's management from mid 2002, and the upgrade and rebranding is due for completion by mid 2003.

'The relaunch of the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney will be ideally timed,' said Michael Issenberg, Accor's managing director. 'By mid 2003, there will have been no significant new hotel opened in Sydney for almost five years, and at least ten hotels will have closed their doors. Furthermore, it is undoubtedly the premier corporate location in Sydney.'

While the exterior will not be altered due to its heritage listing, the interior will be transformed, with a new foyer and new entrance. 431 rooms are being refurbished. The restaurant will also be remodelled. The Wentworth will remain open throughout the renovation.

Other new Sofitel openings this year include London, Marrakech, Washington DC, Bangkok, Buenos Aires and Venice.