HILTON Worldwide is making inroads deeper into the Asian market with the opening of the Waldorf Astoria Beijing last week and a new partnership with KDU University College in Malaysia to develop talents for the growing hospitality industry.
The 176-key Waldorf Astoria Beijing is located in the heart of the capital on the former site of Xianliang Temple. It is 27km away from Beijing International Airport.
Guestrooms include 28 suites in the main hotel tower as well as the Waldorf Hutong Villa, three hutong studios and a room housed in two villas with private entrances located in a garden courtyard.
Other amenities offered include three restaurants, 796m2 of meeting space, and a spa and fitness centre with a heated indoor swimming pool.
Waldorf Astoria Beijing is the brand’s second property in China, the first being Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund.
Separately, Hilton Worldwide last week said it has partnered Malaysia’s KDU University College in Petaling Jaya to offer students on-the-job practical training and a theoretical curriculum.
Under the Hilton Class programme, 30 first-years will be selected by the school and Hilton Worldwide from the pool of students pursuing degrees in international hotel & tourism management, hospitality management, culinary management in culinary operations or baking & pastry.
Chosen students will be offered at least one six-month internship at a Hilton property in Malaysia and also benefit from guest lectures, on-site visits and a specially tailored e-learning programme. They may also receive job offers from any Hilton Worldwide hotel.
William Costley, vice president, South-east Asia – operations, Hilton Worldwide, said: “This collaboration, the second of our strategic school alliances in Malaysia, also reiterates our commitment to developing our portfolio in Malaysia as well as the South-east Asia region.
“In preparing best-in-class talent to support this expansion, we are confident that this partnership will also support capacity building of local talent, and benefit the growing hospitality industry in this country, as more trained students enter the workplace.”
