The world may still be in the grip of a financial crisis, but new hotel properties planned before the downturn are still coming online amid the bookings slump. In China, affected a bit less than other major economies, international and domestic hotel chains have recently opened, or are due to open, new outlets in the country's many booming cities.
Some of the latest upscale and business-oriented properties to open in China include:
Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin
In April, Radisson Hotels & Resorts opened its doors for business in China's third-largest city, Tianjin.
The 270-room Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin is operated by Carlson Hotels Worldwide.
Situated on Xinkai Road, to the west of Tianjin Railway Station and east of Tianjin Airport, the Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin is located in the new financial hub of Hedong District, close to the central business district, the Tianjin Economic Development Area and the Binhai New Area as well as many tourist sites and shopping malls. The city of Tianjin is 29 minutes from Beijing by high-speed train.
The 23-story hotel is a symbol of Tianjin's transformation into a thriving financial center for business travelers from around the world.
Facilities include a spa; a health club; an indoor, heated swimming pool; and complimentary high-speed Internet access in guestrooms and function rooms as well as extensive conference and meetings spaces.
The signature restaurant, Kushi, is an Asian grill inspired by a Japanese robatayaki and offers Western and Asian meat and seafood dishes. Cafe@66 offers a European brasserie-style buffet and a la carte service.
The China Station Chinese restaurant specializes in northern Chinese cuisine, while Purple is designed to be one of the city's trendiest cocktail bars. Visit www.radisson.com/tianjincn.
Grand Park Xian
In late 2008, Park Hotel Group acquired the former Grand Castle Hotel in Xian, China's ancient capital famed for its Terracotta Warriors statues, and rebranded it the Grand Park Xian.
The majestic Grand Park Xian has been newly refurbished.
Adjacent to the ancient city wall in the heart of the business, shopping and entertainment district, the 338-room hotel is renowned for its opulent palatial architecture, luxurious accommodations and authentic, ancient-style Chinese cuisine, showcased by its Empress Banquet.
The Grand Park Xian lies in close proximity to the city's many historical attractions, including the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
From the hotel, it's a 21-mile drive to Lintong, home to the Terracotta Warriors and the Mausoleum of China's First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
The 10-story hotel caters to both business and leisure travelers. It boasts the tallest atrium lobby in the city, with facilities in the newly renovated property including Park Palace Chinese Restaurant, Veranda Cafe, Lobby Lounge, meetings rooms and a refurbished ballroom. See www.parkhotelgroup.com/gpxa.
PuLi Hotel and Spa, Shanghai
Making its debut in the heart of Shanghai is the city's first urban resort, the PuLi Hotel and Spa. Managed by Urban Resort Concepts, a Hong Kong-based hotel management company, the PuLi boasts a prime location by Nanjing West Road in the Jingan District and is part of the ambitious Park Place mixed-use development project.
Developed and operated by Shanghai Cross Ocean Property Development Ltd., Park Place comprises an office tower, a high-end retail and dining complex and the PuLi.
The 26-story hotel has 209 rooms and 20 suites. Units include flat-screen, LCD TVs; Bose music systems and MP3 docking ports; DVD players; GSM portable phones with dual SIM card slots and citywide coverage; espresso machines; and complimentary Internet access.
To celebrate its opening, the PuLi is offering one free night's stay for every night booked and paid through Sept. 30. Visit www.thepuli.com.
Fairmont Beijing
The Fairmont Beijing is the first outlet of the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts group to open in China. The hotel is located in Yong An Li, generally regarded as a prime "gate" to Beijing's central business district.
The new Fairmont Beijing boasts a rose-gold, glass-curtain facade and distinctive architecture.
Each of the 222 guestrooms and suites at the Fairmont Beijing features cutting-edge technology, including high-speed Internet access (broadband or WiFi); Bose music system with iPod dock; 42-inch, plasma-screen TVs; and Nespresso coffee machines.
The hotel's meetings spaces have been constructed to evoke Beijing's famous hutongs, or alleyways.
On-site restaurants include the Cut, for steak and seafood; a sushi bar; and all-day casual dining in Lunar 8.
Guests looking to unwind after a busy day in booming Beijing might head for the hotel's Willow Stream Spa, provides the ideal sky-high level rejuvenation experience.
Fairmont has other properties on tap in China, as well.
The 210-room Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan opens in the fall.
The hotelier has restored Shanghai's century-old Peace Hotel, and the property is set to reopen next year as the Fairmont Peace Hotel.
The 702-room Fairmont Haitang Bay Resort in Sanya, on the southernmost tip of Hainan Island, is scheduled to open in 2011. Visit www.fairmont.com/beijing.
Sheraton Jinan Hotel
Scheduled to open Sept. 15, the Sheraton Jinan Hotel is located in the capital of Shandong Province, on China's east coast.
The Sheraton Jinan Hotel will offer 445 rooms and suites; 46,300 square feet of meetings space; four food and beverage outlets; a health club; a spa; a gift shop; a business center; and an indoor, heated pool.
Lying just 12 miles from Jinan Yaoqiang Airport, the hotel will be part of a mixed-used complex consisting of the hotel, office buildings and retail shops.
The complex is located inside the East New Town, Lixia District, which is being developed as Jinan's new commercial, residential and leisure sports center.
The city of Jinan has long been renowned in China for its lakes and springs, including Daming Lake and the First Spring Under Heaven.
Other exciting sights for visitors include Qufu, the birthplace of the ancient philosopher Confucius, and Mount Tai, widely regarded as the best of the Five Sacred Mountains of China.
For rates and more information, see www.starwoodhotels.com.