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Aloft opens first property in Asia

Published: 13/11/2008 - Filed under: News »

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Starwood has opened its first Asia-based Aloft hotel in the Haidan district of Beijing.

The Aloft Beijing, Haidian is the brand’s first venture outside of North America, and will be followed by a second China branch within the next two years.

The opening marks the beginning of the lifestyle brand’s worldwide expansion, with over 100 hotels planned by 2011 for India, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Belgium and China – as well as further North American openings.

The 186-room hotel is based in China’s Silicon Valley, the Zhongguancun Science Park, near the 4th Ring Road. The area is known for its multiple high-tech businesses, research centres and universities. It is also located a short drive from the “Bird’s Nest” stadium where much of this year’s Olympics took place.

The new-build hotel is joined in the same complex by another Starwood property, the Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, as well as offices and residential homes.

Guest rooms follow the brand’s usual loft-style design, with nine-foot high ceilings and large windows, while the bathrooms feature walk-in showers and Bliss Spa products. Aimed at “style-conscious and tech savvy visitors”, every room is fitted with wifi internet access and “plug and play”, a system which enables guests to link all their electronic gadgets up to a 42-inch flatscreen HDTV.

As with other Aloft hotels, guests can grab a drink or a game of pool in the communal Remix lobby or the Wxyz bar. There is a Recharge fitness centre and splash pool, and Refuel offers healthy food, snacks and drinks to go, 24-hours a day. As part of Aloft’s “See Green” programme, there is preferred parking for hybrid cars and elements of the hotel’s design is made up of recycled materials.

For more information visit alofthotels.com.

Report by Liat Clark

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