Marriott International will be experimenting with a new business model when it opens two properties at the Hangzhou Towers in China between late August and late October.
The two towers, connected by a main building, will house a JW Marriott and a Courtyard, each with their separate hotel lobbies.
“This is the first time Marriott has this combination,” said the Hartmut Schaller, general manager of both properties. “There will be one management team and lots of shared services.”
The company is not worried the JW and Courtyard – each with distinct service standards and in such close proximity – will cannibalise each other’s clientele.
“There is a lot of domestic business,” said Schaller, adding that the customer base for both hotels was well defined and different. “Asia will be the main target, business travellers, leisure, meetings and weekend [business]. The European and US corporate travel [to Hangzhou] is gradually developing.”
The first phase will see the Courtyard by Marriott Hangzhou Wulin open the end of August with 271 Deluxe rooms, 56 Executive rooms and 12 Suites. It will share the swimming pool and gym with JW’s facilities and will offer MoMo Café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and MoMo 2 Go store.
JW Marriott Hangzhou’s opening is tentatively set for the end of October. It will feature 199 Deluxe rooms, 51 Executive rooms, 44 Premier rooms, 11 Junior suites, one vice-presidential suite and one presidential suite.
There will be seven restaurants and bars located on the second floor of the main building, while the third floor will house the 908sqm Grand Ballroom and a 373sqm pre-function area, eight meeting rooms, a boardroom and a VIP room. The fourth floor will have a roof garden and an indoor swimming pool. The facilities in the main building will also be available to guests staying with Courtyard.
One of China's most popular tourism spots, thanks to the West Lake, Xixi Wetlands and a range of natural attractions, Hangzhou has also evolved into an industrial hub hosting many diverse sectors such as light industry, agriculture, textiles. It is also regarded as a leading manufacturing base and logistics hub for coastal China.
For many years, accommodation consisted mainly of mid-scale properties, except for the Shangri-La. Then in 2005, the Hyatt arrived, followed by Sofitel, Banyan Tree, Amanfayun (Aman Resorts) and Four Seasons set to open later this year (news) and Sheraton Wetland Park Resort in the first quarter of 2011.
For more, visit www.marriot.com
Andrea Zavadszky
