Starwood Hotels and Resorts has announced the opening of Sheraton Harbin Xiangfang Hotel, marking the debut of the brand in the capital city of China’s Heilongjiang Province.

The 400-room hotel is the 72nd Sheraton-branded property in China. Sheraton has an illustrious history in Mainland China – it was the first international hotel brand to enter the market 30 years ago with the opening of The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel Beijing in 1985.

Harbin is a popular destination for winter tourism and features the Harbin International Ice Festival – one of the largest of its kind in the world. Named the “City of Music” by UNESCO, the city is also host to the Harbin Summer Music Concert, which attracts artists from around the world every August.

Sheraton Harbin Xiangfang Hotel is situated in the city’s new CBD, placing it near corporate offices and high-end apartments, as well as retail, leisure and entertainment facilities. The hotel is also close to Eontime World – the largest indoor theme park in northeast China, and a 45-minute drive from Harbin Taiping International Airport. It is also 30 minutes from Harbin Railway Station, which is connected to the Trans-Siberian Railway.

All guestrooms offer the custom-designed Sheraton bed, while bathrooms sport rainforest showers. Club guests also gain access to the Sheraton Club, which offers complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments and free wifi. Recreational facilities include a fitness centre and indoor swimming pool.

There are four F&B outlets: the speciality Chinese restaurant Tai Mansion, which serves Cantonese and Dongbei cuisine; FEAST, Sheraton’s signature all-day dining restaurant; 63# Restaurant & Bar, which features modern Russian cuisine and vodka; and the Lobby Lounge, where guests can socialise while choosing from a paired menu that matches small plates with premium wines and beer.

Sheraton Harbin Xiangfang is also home to more than 20,000 sqm of flexible meeting space, the largest such area in Northeast China. The hotel features a car elevator that provides direct access to the banquet hall, as well as the Delight Hall, a Western European-influenced venue for weddings and other celebrations.

To commemorate the opening of the hotel, Sheraton Harbin Xiangfang is offering a special package valid until June 9, 2016 that starts at RMB1,088 (US$169) for a one-night stay in a deluxe room with breakfast, wifi and double Starpoints for SPG members.

For more information, visit starwoodhotels.com

Clement Huang