Hampton by Hilton opens flagship hotel in China

The Hampton by Hilton Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town has opened its doors. The 223-room hotel joins the Hampton portfolio of more than 2,100 hotels around the world. Hampton by Hilton Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town is located in the Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China and is managed by Huanpeng Hotel Management Limited.

“China is the 20th country that Hampton has entered, and for the city of Guangzhou, it is not only a strategic city and the ‘south gate’ of China, but is also the center of politics, economy, science, education and culture of Guangdong Province and the Pearl River Delta. We are especially happy that Hampton by Hilton flagship hotel has opened in Guangzhou and are confident that the hotel will contribute positively to the development of Guangzhou tourism industry,” said Phil Cordell, global head, Focused Service and Hampton Brand Management, Hilton Worldwide. “It represents a breakthrough for Hampton development in the China market. With a strong partner like Plateno Group, I have every confidence that the brand will achieve a similar success as in the United States.”

 

Hampton by Hilton Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town is conveniently located at the intersection of bustling Zhujiang New Town central business district and the popular Tianhe Sports Center business zone. Close to the Guangzhou business and financial hubs such as the Guangzhou International Finance Center, Citic Plaza, Pazhou Complex and the Guangzhou East Railway Station, the hotel offers easy access to the city most popular leisure, shopping and entertainment venues. Fully taking into consideration the demands of business travelers and families with kids, the hotel focuses on creating an easy, enjoyable, and relaxing atmosphere that leaves guests feeling like they are staying with a friend.

Hampton by Hilton Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town offers amenities such as Free Wi-Fi, 24-hour snack bar, restaurant, meeting room and fitness center.

Each guestroom includes high-quality features, including Serta mattresses that follows the U.S. brand signature, Clean and fresh Hampton bed ensures guests get a sound night of sleep. A movable desk and ergonomic chair offer an excellent working environment and the world-renowned skin care brand -Peter Thomas Roth is on offer in the bathroom. In addition, a specially designed sofa bed for Hampton provides an additional relaxing space.

Big Bazaar to launch new format called Gen X

For the upcoming festival season, Kishore Biyani will be launching a new format of his Big Bazaar stores under the name Gen X. The store’s new format will be targeting upwardly mobile Indians. The first two Big Bazaar Gen X stores are slated to open at Infiniti Mall at Malad, Mumbai and DLF Mall of India in Noida next month.

The two large format stores have been designed to stock premium merchandise across categories ranging from food to fashion. The Malad store would measure 45,000 sq ft withnew segments such as live non-vegetarian and bakery counters, resembling its more niche formats like Foodhall.

Biyani, Chairman of Future Group, said: “A new generation of consumers is emerging. There will be 450 million Indians born by 2021 and how we design our engagement with theseconsumers will define the long-term sustainability of our business. Big Bazaar Gen X has strategically located its stores in high consumption zones. The Gen X store at the Malad Infiniti Mall is one of the highest consumption areas.”

The assortment and design at this store is different and is expected to take Big Bazaar to a different level, said Rajan Malhotra, President-Retail Strategy, Future Group. Code word Gen X is also a code word which is being used by the Future Group as it develops such new formats. Gen X is a project name used internally on how to take Big Bazaar to the next level.

“Being a 16-year-old brand, Big Bazaar has been trying to upgrade its image with youthful ambassadors like Varun Dhawan and Katrina Kaif,”‘ added Malhotra. Big Bazaar Gen X would stand out from the rest of its stores in the same area with its differentiated offering.

Eastin Easy Kurseong Darjeeling Becomes an Eastin Hotel

Thailand Absolute Hotel Services (AHS) is expanding its upscale Eastin hotel brand in India, with the launch of a new property in Darjeeling, West Bengal.

Set atop a mountain surrounded by nature and views of the valleys and foothills of Kurseong, the land of the white orchids, Eastin Hotel Kurseong, Darjeeling, will open its doors in April 2016.

The property will offer a total of 100 rooms and suites, a signature all day dining restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant, lounge bar, cafe terrace, banquet and meeting centre for the MICE market. The hotel will also provide wellness centre including one double and two spa treatment rooms, foot massage, ayurvedic massage, gym, meditation and yoga classes.

AHS operates a collection of Eastin, Eastin Easy and U Hotels in several locations across India. AHS has re-branded the property as Eastin Hotel Kurseong, Darjeeling, from its earlier name Eastin Easy Kurseong Darjeeling. It is the first international 4-star deluxe resort hotel in Kurseong, Darjeeling district.