Plush hotels showcase Kowloon waterfront (hktdc.com)


	Opening next year, W Hong Kong will mark the entry into China for Starwood’s hip hotel brand, W

	An artist’s impression of the six-star Ritz-Carlton Kowloon, opening 2009 in response to rising demand

	The Luxe Manor, Kowloon’s first designer boutique hotel, is a modern take on a European mansion

	Mark Lettenbichler, General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton in Central, says the investment reflects the group’s confidence in Hong Kong

Two of the world's biggest hotel groups are investing in new, upmarket properties in Hong Kong, responding to the city's continuing boom in business and leisure travel.

The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company has announced plans for a six-star hotel in Kowloon which it says will be "a showcase of contemporary design and the highest hotel in the world”, to open in 2009.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide will mark the China entry of its hip hotel brand W with the opening of W Hong Kong in 2008.

Together, these new hotels will add 683 extra rooms to a city which finished 2006 with another record year for tourism. From January – November, Hong Kong welcomed over 25 million visitors – an 8 per cent rise year-on-year. Hotel occupancy for the period was also up, averaging 87 per cent. The average room rate rose across all categories, up nearly 17 per cent on the previous year.

New commercial hub

Both of the new hotels will open in the booming Kowloon district, which recorded the highest room occupancy (94 per cent) last year. Kowloon is fast emerging as a new commercial hub of Hong Kong, with a range of quality office, retail and accommodation infrastructure under development. According to CB Richard Ellis research, 75 per cent of Hong Kong's future office supply over the next five years will be situated in Kowloon as comprehensive transport connections provide the area with improved accessibility.

Simon F. Cooper, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, agreed the Kowloon location offered "significant advantages” because of planned development in the area, as well as access to vital transportation links. "This hotel will offer both our corporate and leisure guests an address that is exclusive, as well as highly convenient,” he said.

The hotel will be the second Ritz-Carlton property in Hong Kong, complementing the Ritz-Carlton in Central, run by General Manager Mark Lettenbichler, who is also regional Vice President of the Ritz-Carlton group, and Chairman of Hong Kong Hotels Association.

A mark of confidence

Mr Lettenbichler said the investment in the new hotel underscores the group's confidence in Hong Kong's future. He said the Ritz-Carlton's average room had increased by 13 per cent over 2005, and Hong Kong's hotel sector in general was projected to maintain a 10 per cent increase in 2007.

"We are proud to operate the new Ritz-Carlton Hotel located at International Commerce Centre at Kowloon Station, owned by Sun Hung Kai Properties.”

First in China

Stephen Ho, Vice-President Acquisitions & Development for Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts, said Hong Kong was "definitely suitable” to launch the first W in China. "Besides being an international financial centre, entertainment and shopping paradise, Hong Kong is also the gateway city to China for international travellers. The city is also the preferred destination for most Chinese travellers.”

Mr Ho added that as a "lifestyle hotel” W would offer a brand new concept that differs from the traditional luxury hotels. It will feature exciting dining, nightlife and entertainment options including a rooftop bar, major spa, health club and indoor and outdoor pool. The hotel will also house extensive meeting facilities.

W Hong Kong, being developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties, is located next to the city's exciting new cultural and entertainment district on the West Kowloon waterfront. The precinct will feature high-end retail, office, art museums, theatres, man-made gardens and lagoons, a yacht anchorage, lush landscape, a promenade and food and beverage outlets along the waterfront when it is fully completed in 2010.

Pure Luxe

Another new luxury hotel to capitilise on this prestige location is The Luxe Manor, which opened in December as "Kowloon's first designer boutique hotel”. Designed as a modern interpretation of a European mansion, rooms in the 14-floor property feature flat screen TVs set into mirror frames, faux fireplaces and high-tech IT. The Luxe Manor is owned and operated by GR8 Concepts, a Hong Kong-based hospitality group. The hotel also provides a business centre with full secretarial services, a mini-gym, meeting and breakout rooms.