Marriott to debut Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Executive Apartments brands in Chinese city of Suzhou

14 February, 2023

Marriott International has confirmed plans to bring The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Executive Apartments brands to the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou.

It currently already operates 15 hotels across eight brands in the city, including W Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, Element by Westin, Courtyard by Marriott, and Fairfield by Marriott.

The Ritz-Carlton Suzhou is expected to open at the end of 2024, featuring 190 guest rooms and suites designed by Remedios Studios. This will be followed in the middle of 2025 by the Marriott Executive Apartments, a serviced apartment brand targeted to long-stay travellers.

Elsewhere in China, IHG Hotels and Resorts has outlined plans to debut its Vignette Collection in the country, while across Asia Hyatt has confirmed it will debut its Hyatt House brand in Tokyo.

The dual-branded properties will cater to the "growing guest demand for differentiated experiences," says Gavin Yu, chief development officer, Greater China for Marriott International and are being developed under the 'Brand + Destination' development strategy

Suzhou is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, and Humble Administrator's Garden. All are located in close proximity to China Central Place, Suzhou, a newly built, mixed-use development that will bring together hotels, residences, retail, and offices.

The development, of which the two new properties will serve as key components, is conveniently situated within walking distance to the Shilu Subway Station and 2.5 kilometers to Suzhou Railway Station.

The Ritz-Carlton, Suzhou is expected to open in Dec-2024 and will feature 190 guestrooms and suites. The hotel is set to offer a range of dining options including a specialty restaurant with an open kitchen, a Chinese restaurant, a destination bar, and a lobby lounge.

Plans for recreational amenities will include an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, and signature Ritz-Carlton Spa with four treatment rooms. In addition, the hotel is expected to offer 735-square-meters of well-equipped conference and event facilities, including a 508-square-meter ballroom.

Following in Jun-2025, Marriott Executive Apartments Suzhou aims to meet travellers' long-stay lodging needs by providing an elevated serviced apartment experience.

The new property is anticipated to feature 270 modern residential apartments - offering space, ambience, and the privacy of residential living, enabling a comfortable stay away from home. It is expected to feature 1- and 2-bedroom apartments with separate sleeping, living, and working areas.

Additional planned facilities include a 31-square-meter meeting room, as well as the Residents Lounge, a cozy space that serves breakfast and evening cocktails, allowing guests to work, socialise and unwind.

IHG to bring first Vignette property to China

Elsewhere in China, IHG Hotels and Resorts has outlined plans to debut its Vignette Collection in China. The new Shanghai Snow World Hotel, Vignette Collection will form part of a dual-branded development which will also house a Crowne Plaza property.

The two hotels will be located within the forthcoming Shanghai Yaoxue Snow World Complex in the downtown commercial centre of Lin-gang New Town. They are scheduled to open in the first half of 2024. The Vignette property will comprise over 270 rooms across seven types, while the larger Crown Plaza will feature 375 across seven types.

The Shanghai Yaoxue Snow World Complex is described as a "integrated sports-entertainment-tourism resort with the world's biggest alpine-themed indoor ski park".

IHG has remained committed to a long-term "in China for China" strategy and reached the milestone of its 600th hotel opening in Greater China, up from 500 in just one and a half years. Now, IHG has built a strong domestic business with 618 hotels and another 474 in the pipeline with a total footprint of over 1,000 hotels, reaching more than 200 cities.

Hyatt to debut Hyatt House brand in Tokyo

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has confirmed an affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Tokyu Land Corporation for Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya. Due to open by mid-2024, the 126-room hotel will be a new mid- to long-stay living accommodation situated just steps away from the world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

The Sakuragaoka area, just southwest of the Shibuya station where the hotel will be located, is being redeveloped as part of a major transformation of the Shibuya district, one of Tokyo's most popular areas for entertainment, shopping, fashion, and dining. The area's diverse new urban facilities aim to enhance Tokyo's international competitiveness and create an ideal living and working environment for overseas guests.

Each of the hotel's 126 guestrooms, ranging in size from approximately 344 to 915 square feet (32 to 85 square meters), will offer home-like amenities. The lobby will face an airy rooftop garden and the property will feature an indoor swimming pool, lounge, H Bar, and restaurant.

The property marks the entry of the Hyatt House brand in Tokyo, further demonstrating Hyatt's intentional brand growth in the Asia Pacific region. It will be the second Hyatt House-branded property in Japan, joining Hyatt House Kanazawa in Ishikawa prefecture.