Pets and personal touches: how China’s luxury hotel market is changing

Today’s Chinese guests expect hotels to offer cultural experiences, personalised touches and a pet-friendly environment, Hang Lung director says

Chinese customers’ growing desire for personal expression and cultural experiences has raised the game in the country’s hospitality sector, creating opportunities for leading lifestyle hotel brands, according to a director at Hong Kong developer Hang Lung Properties.

“An ideal hotel is the one that can redefine hospitality with personal touches,” said Herman Chui, the company’s senior director of office, hotel and residence, during a media briefing on Wednesday.

“Guests can select a teapot to their liking. The hotel also offers tailor-made key cards and other items. More importantly, a client is allowed to bring their pet along.”

Chui’s remarks were made ahead of the inauguration of Hilton’s new Xi Zhe Wuxi hotel in Hang Lung’s Center 66 commercial complex in Wuxi, eastern China’s Jiangsu province.