Chengdu, the economic hub of southwest China, has rallied with a strong economy since the tragic earthquake that struck Sichuan four years ago. The hotel boom continues and, as at the end of last year, there were about 16,000 four- and five-star bedrooms available in the city.
According to the latest CB Richard Ellis report, international hotel brands will add thousands of rooms to the city's supply by 2015.
William Hall, general manager of Crowne Plaza Chengdu City Centre, says the new hotels will bring a complete change to the hotel scene and supply in the city.
To keep up with the competition, the hotel's owners have made consistent investments, including a new gym, spa, a major extension to its Chinese restaurant and many back-of-house projects last year. This year, the hotel has undertaken a full refurbishment of its ballroom, all meeting rooms and its business centre. A refurbishment of 10 floors will be completed this summer.
Hall expects the refurbishment will give the hotel a distinct advantage over older international hotels. 'I am confident we can improve on last year, which was our best for eight years, but the growth will be steady and not a large leap.'
Since its soft opening in 2007, the 593-room Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu has been perceived as the premium luxury hotel in the city and has set new levels in terms of room occupancy, average room rates and revenue.