Range of options

With greater demand from mainland businessmen, the high-end hotel market in Zhengzhou is expanding rapidly. As customers become more sophisticated, facilities and service standards are improving.

While the whole of Henan province only had 11 five-star hotels two years ago, the provincial capital alone now has 16 five-star hotels and nine international brand hotels, according to Donald Zhang, general manager of the Ramada Plaza Zhengzhou.

Local hotels have maintained healthy occupancy rates despite the increase in supply. "Our three hotels [have an occupancy rate] in the high 70s and the city is about 70 per cent for the year for starred hotels," says Uwe Lohage, general manager of the Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express in Zhengzhou.

While hotel guests come from around the world, typically it is mainland businessmen who dominate. Lohage estimates that 85 per cent of his customers are domestic, a customer base that is becoming increasingly discerning.

Isaac Wu, acting general manager of the Yuda Palace Hotel, notes that "domestic consumers' demand for international fine cuisine has grown significantly".

Zhengzhou's premier hotels offer an intriguing range of options. The Novotel is in the city's new central business district, near the convention centre and many of the city's newest amenities. The Yuda Palace Hotel stresses its personalised service, price and facilities.