News

Somerset expands in Southern China

2 Feb 2015

Somerset Serviced Residence, one of The Ascott Limited brands, has been rapidly expanding its presence in Southern China. After a spate of openings, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific decided to test three of the newest residences around the Pearl River Delta.

Somerset Grandview Shenzhen

Opening date: December 2014

Background: This property enjoys a good location in the Futian central business district (CBD), next to the Shenzhen Golf Club and Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre, and within walking distance of subway lines 1 and 3. The area is also home to many office towers, shopping malls and restaurants. There are 192 apartments available in total, ranging from studio executive (55 sqm) to three-bedroom premier (150 sqm). Free wifi is available in the apartments.

Room review: I stayed in the studio executive room. Despite being the smallest room type available, I found the room to be spacious and cleverly designed. There were more than enough power sockets for even the most gadget-obsessed traveller, including two international sockets under the TV and a power board with eight sockets. The kitchen was well equipped, with an electric kettle, microwave oven, glassware, crockery, refrigerator, toaster and washing machine. The apartment also included a small private meeting room for two people, plus a small balcony.

 

Verdict: I generally had a pleasant stay in the room, aside from a small glitch with the air-conditioning (which was blowing hot air). The problem persisted even after a member of staff tried to check it. Finally I managed to figure out how to change the mode to cool air. The remote control panel is only in Chinese, which may be a problem for foreign guests, although English-language remotes will apparently be introduced soon.

Other facilities: Conference rooms, children’s playroom, gym equipped with an air purifier, hot yoga room, mini movie theatre, snooker room, sauna and steam room equipped with Jacuzzi and 24-hour reception.


Somerset Victoria Park Hong Kong

Opening date: December 2014

Background: The second property I tested was located in Tin Hau, close to the bustling shopping district of Causeway Bay and landmarks such as Victoria Park. The Tin Hau MTR station is within five minutes walking distance. There are 68 studio and one-bedroom apartments, with sizes ranging from 17 sqm to 33 sqm. Free wifi is provided throughout the property.

Room review: The room was very small, but then again, that is fairly typical of Hong Kong. There was only just enough space for me to open my suitcase fully on the floor next to the door. There was a small pantry equipped with an electric kettle and microwave oven. A Samsung blu-ray disc player was placed next to the bed on a small desk.

Verdict: The room is small, and realistically does not have enough space to work. On a positive note, I enjoyed a pleasant sleep thanks to both the comfortable bed and lack of noise - despite the apartment being located next to a busy road.

Other facilities: Gym, Residence lounge common area, 24-hour reception and launderette facilities.

 

Somerset Riviera Guangzhou

Opening date: August 2014

Background: Located in the residential area along the Pearl River waterfront, this property overlooks Ersha Island, Zhujiang New Town and the Canton Tower. The apartments are a 50-minute drive from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, or a 15-minute drive from the Guangzhou East Railway Station. All 32 rooms are 260 sqm and have four bedrooms.

Room review: There are two apartments per floor and each enjoys a private lift lobby. The apartments are large with a living room, plus separate kitchen and dining room. There are a wide range of facilities, from the entertainment options in the living rooms such as cable TV and DVD, to a hob and dishwasher in the kitchen. Washing machine and dryer can also be found in a separate room. A video intercom system provides an added level of security, and there is a reception service from 6:30am to 10:30pm. 

Verdict: The apartment is so big that one could almost get lost. The other key selling point is that the property is situated on the waterfront, so I enjoyed fantastic views of the Zhujiang River and Canton Tower, which were particularly spectacular at night.


Ascott entered Southern China in 2005, with Ascott, Somerset and Citadines brands opening in eight cities including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. So far, Ascott has opened 13 properties, providing around 2,000 apartments.

Alan Lai, area general manager of south China, revealed that there are more upcoming openings in the region, including Ascott M-City Foshan and Somerset Software Park Xiamen in 2016, offering 185 and 153 apartments respectively. By 2020, the group aims to have over 34 properties operational in China, providing around 6,000 apartments for guests.

Properties include:

Hotel Pravo Hong Kong (2015)

Ascott Macau (2015)

Ascott Nanbin Chongqing (2015)

Ascott Central Wuxi (2015)

Ascott Raffles City Hangzhou (2015)

Somerset Swan Lake Hefei (2017)

Citadines Fangshan Beijing (2018)

Changyang World Serviced Residence Beijing (2018)

For more information, visit the-ascott.com

Valerian Ho

 

 

 

 

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