W Hotels Worldwide plans to double its presence in Asia over the next five years, a strategy that will add the company's first five hotels in China.
The Starwood brand has plans to open 11 new properties in Asia-Pacific through 2018, or more than half of its global pipeline. Combined with its current Asia properties, W will have nearly 20 hotels and retreats in the region in the next five years.
The additions include the first W Hotel in mainland China, which opened in Guangzhou last month. That property will be followed by hotels in Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha and Suzhou, with more than 1,900 rooms slated to open through 2017.
Paul James, global brand leader for W Hotels, is confident about Chinese demand for the type of product W offers.
"In some of our existing hotels in Greater China, like W Hong Kong and W Taipei, we have already had great success building brand awareness and loyalty and meeting the expectations of the Chinese traveler," he said.
The five W hotels opened or opening in China are:
W Guangzhou Hotel & Residences: China's first W is located in Pearl River New Town, a new upscale district featuring luxury shopping and entertainment. The 317-room property will have seven restaurants and bars, an Away Spa and a Sweat fitness center.
W Beijing — Chang'an: Slated for a 2014 debut, Beijing's W will be located in the city's bustling Diplomatic District. The 340-room hotel will offer city views and proximity to the Forbidden City, Silk Market and Tiananmen Square.
W Changsha: Scheduled to open in 2014, and located in the capital of China's Hunan province of south-central China, the 330-room W Changsha will have a restaurant "fitting of one of China's top gourmet cities" along with W's signature indoor, heated Wet pool, Sweat fitness center and Away Spa.
W Shanghai — The Bund: Opening in 2014, the 600-room hotel will soar above the Bund thoroughfare, offering Huangpu River views. The hotel will feature the W brand's signature Wet pool, a spa and rooms designed in Shanghai style.
W Suzhou: Scheduled to open in 2017 in China's southeast Jiangsu province, the 366-room property will be set among the high-rises of the Suzhou Industrial Park, the city's central business district, and will offer four food and beverage venues.
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