The illustrious luxury hotel management company Four Seasons is to pursue its aggressive Asian expansion plans this year with the opening of three new hotels in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). As recently as 2010, Four Seasons had only three hotels within the PRC but announced a rapid growth plan in an effort to keep pace with its recent economic development.
“More business and leisure travellers are visiting China than ever before, and with that comes increased expectations for superior service and product of the highest quality,” says Kathleen Taylor, Chief Operating Officer and President of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Our goal is to make Four Seasons the number-one choice of travellers to, from and within China.”
The first of the three new hotels opened this summer in the PRC’s third largest city of Guangzhou. Occupying the top third of the 103 storey Guangzhou IFC, one of the world’s largest sky scrapers, the hotel overlooks the Pearl River and boasts dazzling views from The Cloud Bar, located on the vertigo inducing 99th floor.
The second hotel will open in the autumn and is located in the Chaoyang district of Beijing. The four tower complex will cater for private apartments and offices along with more than 300 guest rooms, Chinese and Italian restaurants, several lounges, a full-service spa and fitness centre, and comprehensive meeting spaces.
Exactly one decade after opening their first hotel in China, Four Seasons will return to the city of Shanghai to open their third new property late in 2012. The second Four Seasons hotel in Shanghai is located in the business district of Pudong and is within walking distance of the Jin Mao Tower. The hotel will be part of the 21st Century Tower boasting 200 guest rooms and suites, as well as 60 private residences. It will also feature a unique Executive Club, intimate spa with a city-view pool and some of Shanghai’s most dynamic and discreet restaurants.
With three well-established properties anchoring its portfolio, Four Seasons plans to have 14 properties in China by the end of 2014, a heavy reflection of China’s increased demand for luxury accommodation and its burgeoning tourism trade. “China has been part of our plan for more than a decade, and will continue to be a critical component of our growth strategy in the future,” notes Taylor.
These hotels will open throughout 2013 and 2014 and include the Four Seasons Qingdao, located on the waterfront of the Shandong province, Hainan at the Shenzhou Peninsula and Hainan in Sanya, the Four Seasons Suzou, located on a small private island in Jinji Lake and two further hotels in Shenzhen and Tianjin.
Visit the Four Seasons website to find out more.
