GENERAL Hotel Management (GHM), which recently entered into a joint venture with Beijing Tourism Group to introduce Ahn Luh, an upscale hotel brand targeting Chinese luxury travellers, will make its inaugural foray into China through the launch of two new Chedi properties in Suzhou and Huangshan.
The Chedi Club Suzhou, China will open in 1Q2013 at The Global 188 mixed-use development in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. The boutique hotel, which will be the group’s “very first truly urban hotel”, according to GHM president & CEO, Hans Jenni, will offer 36 rooms, as well as private apartments. The hotel will also feature a rooftop restaurant, a spa, a pool, a health centre, and event facilities.
The Chedi Taiping Lake, China will open in 2015 at Mount Huangshan, Anhui Province. Offering 52 rooms, 45 club villas and eight residences with private courtyards and balconies, the hotel will also feature a hot spring spa, a health club, four dining outlets, a Gary Player-designed golf course, and a golf academy.
Clement Koh, GHM vice president, sales & marketing, said: “Demand (for GHM properties) is still coming mainly from first-tier cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. As we plan on expanding our sales representation presence in China beyond Shanghai next year – to Beijing and possibly Guangzhou, I am confident that our mix of business will change accordingly to include some of the secondary cities.”
Meanwhile, GHM plans to roll out a Chinese version of its corporate website in 2013, which will be unveiled in conjunction with the soft opening of The Chedi Club Suzhou.
Reporting by Patricia Wee
