The new hotel, to be known as the "Swissôtel Sochi Gorky Gorod" is expected to help provide accommodation for Olympic officials and sponsors there during the Games in 2014.

By the time of the Games, officials plan to have up to 59 ski lifts in operation in the Krasnaya Polyana region, which will be able to access almost 200 kilometres of ski pistes avaialble to guests at the hotel.

"About 158 elegant rooms and suites, six penthouses, several restaurants and bars, as well as a spa and fitness centre are planned for the new hotel," said Meinhard Huck, Swissôtel's President.

"Most of our company's hotels are primarily city or business hotels in large metropolises, and this will be our first ski resort.

"It's an exciting project, especially given that Krasnaya Polyana is going to be comparable in terms of infrastructure and atmosphere to the most famous mountain resorts in the Alps."


Sergey Kovalevsky, of NBB Development, the Russian firm responsible for designing and building the hotel, claimed that the decision by Swissôtel to choose Sochi to open its first ski resort was a sign of the potential of the region.

"Thanks to the efforts of the government, the participation of investors and the support of the largest banks in Russia, Sochi has acquired the potential to become the first world class resort in Russia," he said.

"NBB Development sees its global task in creating a modern, comfortable and safe environment for life and recreation in Russia."

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