|
 |
GHM and Chinese partners form upscale hotel brand
6/5/2012
BEIJING—The Beijing Tourism Group (BTG) and international hotel management group GHM have formalised a joint venture partnership and announced plans to launch an upscale resort concept branded Ahn Luh. The partners, together with a third investor, the Great Ocean Group (GOG), said the group's first properties will debut in the next two-to-three years. This was announced in March at the signing ceremony for the new hotel group's first project, the Ahn Luh Dujiangyan in Chengdu.
Created by BTG Chairman Duan Qiang, GOG founder Whitney Duan and founder of Amanresorts Adrian Zecha, the Ahn Luh brand will cater to the growing Chinese tourism market.
The design at each Ahn Luh property will differ, with each handcrafted resort incorporating elements reflective of the arts and culture of its particular locale.
"The Ahn Luh Dujiangyan is a project where the historical and cultural elements feature prominently given that the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, along with Mount Qingcheng, are placed together on the UNESCO World Heritage List," said Douglas Zhao, Executive Chairman of the Ahn Luh group, in an announcement. He added, "We're planning to build on the great architectural traditions that have evolved in China over the past three thousand years, but at the same time, we're looking to exude the enthusiasm and the innovative spirit that abounds throughout China."
Ahn Luh is charting future developments in major cities and tourism destinations throughout China. In the pipeline are hotels in Beijing, the Pearl River Delta and Southwest China. Ahn Luh's hotels will come to market as 50- to 100-room and villa properties, featuring 60-square meter rooms and 120-square meter suites. As a complement to each hotel's spa, a resident Tai Chi master will manage an on-site Tai Chi Center.
Other distinguishing features include 'dian xin' breakfast, an all-day Chinese-style tapas bar, indoor and outdoor pools, a library and cigar lounge, airport concierges and a fleet of Wi-Fi-enabled cars. Each hotel will also house a retail shop selling regional goods as well as traditional Chinese medicine. Some Ahn Luh properties will include private villas and
residences. All will feature meetings facilities that provide intimate spaces for executive retreats. READER COMMENTS
|