Ritz-Carlton Opens in Chengdu

Ritz-Carlton has expanded its portfolio of hotels in China with the opening of a new hotel in Chengdu.

Towering above Tianfu Square in the city's cosmopolitan heart, the 353 room Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu will be the ninth hotel in China for Ritz-Carlton and the 19th in Asia Pacific.

Designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, The Ritz-Carlton draws inspiration from Chengdu's position along the Ancient Silk Road with a contemporary twist. Utilizing historically-appropriate materials that include indigenous woods, metals, marble and the trade route's namesake silk, the designers have created spaces which combine modern Chinese luxury with local culture. The spa has ten treatment rooms including two couples' suites and luxurious heated jade stone beds.

The 41-storey luxury hotel has impressive views over downtown Chengdu with the highest guestrooms in the city, and the Ritz-Carlton Club Level provides an exclusive concierge, private check-in, and five food and beverage services throughout the day within a lounge that boasts panoramic views of Chengdu.

The hotel also features a beauty salon and a Technogym-outfitted Fitness Center built around a 25-meter indoor swimming pool equipped with an underwater music system.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu offers guests the choice of four restaurants and bars. Li Xuan Chinese Restaurant brings together the finest Cantonese dishes with local Sichuanese creations; SPICES, an all-day dining restaurant orchestrates the theatre and excitement of five open kitchens with cuisine from Italy, Japan, China and South East Asia.

The Lobby Lounge hosts a traditional English Afternoon Tea. The FLAIR lounge, designed by KCA International, has sweeping views of Chengdu from its outdoor terraces. Private rooms offer a sophisticated menu of classic cocktails, Asian tapas and fresh sushi. Complete with live DJs and a 360 degree fireplace, FLAIR aims to create a distinctive ambience that will make it the new beating heart of trendy upscale night life in the city.

With 1,700 square meters of event space, The Ritz-Carlton can also cater to a broad range of upscale meetings and events for up to 900 guests with its two versatile luxury ballrooms and seven meeting rooms.

"We are delighted to be opening our first hotel in Chengdu, an important gateway city in one of the world's fastest growing travel destinations in south west China," said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operations Officer of The Ritz-Carlton. "The city has true international appeal, attracting visitors from all over the world for business or pleasure. We are delighted to play our part in helping put this vibrant destination on the map for discerning luxury travelers."

The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu provides an ideal base from which to explore the city's cultural and culinary wealth. Chengdu sits astride the 2,000 year old Silk Road and enjoys a reputation as the birthplace of a unique Kung Fu Chinese tea culture.

With areas of outstanding natural beauty located nearby, such as JiuZhai Valley and the Panda Sanctuary, the destination continues to grow in stature internationally, and command much interest and intrigue to the global traveler.

The city of 15 million was also named by Forbes as one of the world's fastest growing cities in the world, and cited by UNESCO as the first City of Gastronomy in Asia, for its fiery Sichuan cuisine.