How Hotels Are Investing in China’s North East

PHOTO: Hotel chains, like Shangri-la, are opening in Tianjin in anticipation of a major surge in development

Looking to add a third economic juggernaut on the East Coast of China, the Chinese government is moving towards the creation of and economic zone in the north that would include the cities of Beijing and Tianjin as well as Hebei Province. The plan emerged in February when Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that the development of this area would be a national priority.

Though Tianjin lacks the same entrepreneurial history of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai, it does have a long history of foreign engagement. While Beijing is more known for civil service and government professions, it is home to China’s answer to Silicon Valley.

 Economists believe by 2025, the region could contend with the power houses of the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta. In 2013, Banyan Tree, Pan Pacific and Ritz Carlton all opened Tianjin properties. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts , which has been as astute as any company out there when it comes to investing in nascent Chinese cities, will open the Shangri-La Hotel, Tianjin on Aug. 8.

The 304-room hotel is opening in the city’s Hedong District on the Haihe River with floor-to-ceiling windows that take scenic advantage of the river and the colonial architecture that lines the riverbank. At the turner of the 20^th century, Tianjin was the scene of a large colonial concession held by Russia.

The rooms, which begin at 517 square feet, will suit business travelers in space and style as long staying guests will likely find the 39 serviced apartments ranging from studios to one and two bedrooms that are also part of the hotel.

A full retinue of restaurants, a 24-hour gym, an indoor pool, tennis courts and a Chi spa will round out the facilities. As part of Tianjin’s Kerry Centre, the hotel adjoins a shopping mall with more dining and entertainment options, including a 1,700-square-meter (18,299-square-foot) Kids Adventure Zone and an ice-skating rink (opening in November 2014).

In other China hotel news, Swiss-Belhotel International is refurbishing the Swiss-Belhotel Hefei in order to increase room inventory by converting the 11th and 12th floors into an additional 56 rooms. Located in Hefei’s new economic High Tech Zone, the hotel now offers 245 rooms and suites.

Swiss-Belhotel International plans to add three more hotels in China with three more opening in 2015. They are Swiss-Belhotel Dahe, Taiyuan, Grand Swiss-Belhotel Dongguan and Swiss-Belresort Nanlihu, Haikou, on Hainan Island.