SHANGHAI-based DMCs who have been complaining for the longest time about the lack of large venues in downtown Puxi, will welcome the new Sofitel that will open on West Beijing Road by end-2012.

The Sofitel Shanghai Jing An Huamin, located a short walk away from the main shopping thoroughfare of West Nanjing Road, will have six meeting rooms, and a 1,310m² grand ballroom with capacity for up to 760 pax banquet-style or 1,500 pax cocktail-style.

Most ballrooms in downtown hotels, in comparison, seat below 500 pax.

Sofitel Shanghai Jing An Huamin’s director of sales & marketing, Andrew Hartley, said: “Already, I have serious interest coming from groups and incentives.”

Besides the MICE facilities, the property will also feature three restaurants and two bars, an indoor heated swimming pool, and a fitness centre.

There will be 503 guestrooms at the hotel, including 74 junior/prestige suites and one imperial suite. The minimum room size will be 45m².