Paris, November XXth 2016 – Sofitel Hotels & Resorts proudly reveals the 2016 edition of Art de Noël, its enchanting global tradition to celebrate the festive Christmas season with guests. This year’s theme, “Once Upon a Time”, features Christmas tales as inspiration for Sofitel hotels around the world. First launched in 2015, Art de Noël highlights a Christmas theme that is inspired by one of Sofitel’s pillars (gastronomy, well-being, design or culture) which is then interpreted by the hotels as a way to share in the season – and always with a stylish touch of Sofitel’s new French art-de-vivre!
SOFITEL ART DE NOËL 2016: ONCE UPON A TIME
For Sofitel, Christmas is about escaping from daily life, and entering a magical world where imagination wanders in extraordinary places crowded with fairytale images. Christmas is also about bringing people together, and appreciating an experience to share and celebrate with family. The Art de Noël 2016 theme of “Once Upon a Time” is inspired by Sofitel’s pillar of culture, and specifically the Christmas tales that are shared and passed down from generation to generation.
Sofitel hotels around the world will take inspiration from “Once Upon a Time” and create their own decorations and activities from the theme. Whether it is majestic Christmas trees built from books of fairytales, whimsical silhouettes drawn from fairytale pictures, or the traditional and delicious bûche de Noêl dessert with decoration inspired by Christmas tales…at Sofitel, the Christmas spirit comes to life like never before!
ART DE NOËL, REIMAGINED BY SOFITEL HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD
Around the globe, Sofitel knows how to pay tribute to the holiday season. Take a fantastical tour around the world with just a sampling of the festivities planned for this year:
For this Art de Noël, Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg in France has crafted its very own timeless fairytale on the theme of the magic of Christmas, inspired by the tales of the Grimm Brothers. The hotel’s Christmas decorations will incorporate spectacular pieces to emphasize the dreamlike tale, for example a delightful magical forest created by florist Eric Chauvin. Guests will be able to live the experience via a grand party in partnership with the magazine Attitude Luxe and Christofle, the emblematic French luxury brand; a contest where guests can win a luxurious set from Christofle; the opportunity to enjoy pastries of winter flavors that are decorated with golden and silver leaves and copper powder…and more!
Hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara in Colombia will feature an awe-inspiring bûche de Noël for Art de Noël 2016, with decorations straight from Colombian Caribbean literature. The bûche resembles a book shelf with different shaped books that are titles from esteemed writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jorge Jatim and “El Tuerto” Lopez. With an antique look, the bûche de Noël is covered with butterflies, representative of the well-known book “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. Finally, it is prepared with local products such as chocolate from the Colombian regions Tumaco, Santander, Sierra Nevada and Arauca.
At Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge in Hungary, Art de Noël will come alive with a giant Christmas tree scene in the middle of the lobby, including a giant, classic book where each page contains a fairy tale quote, and each quote brings guests one day closer to Christmas. Alice in Wonderland will inspire the restaurant setting, with shelves decorated with image-filled fairytale books. Beauty and the Beast will be at the heart of the banquet table decorations and menu. The final touch? The hotel’s bûche de Noël will be fashioned in the shape of an open book, surrounded by a snowy landscape, with flavors of chocolate, passion fruit foam, mango jelly, crispy coconut pastry, all covered with marzipan.
Sofitel Dubai Jumeira Beach in the United Arab Emirates will decorate the hotel’s façade especially for Art de Noël, and feature a Christmas tree crafted from books and elements of fairytales from the Middle East. The hotel’s award-winning restaurant Plantation will host a festive party in mid-December with a traditional Christmas tree and live entertainment by musicians dressed in fairytale costumes. Finally, the stunning bûche de Noël will feature a special creative composition from the chef, linking the festive season with fairytales from the region.