Ascott Signs Eight New Serviced Residences in China

Ascott has signed contracts to manage eight new serviced residences in China’s high growth cities of Beijing, Chongqing, Haikou, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Xiamen through the Ascott, Citadines and Tujia Somerset brands.

The properties with more than 1,200 apartment units will boost Ascott’s position in China, as it adds a record number of more than 2,800 apartment units across 16 new properties this year.

The company has a target of 20,000 apartment units in China and 80,000 units globally by 2020.

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Through our partnership with Tujia, China’s largest and fastest growing online apartment sharing platform, we have been able to accelerate our growth by establishing a strong presence online to complement our offline expertise in managing properties. Since the launch of the Tujia Somerset brand in March this year, we have secured 10 properties and we will be stepping up our pace as the middle class travel segment continues to develop. By expanding our network of serviced residences and our suite of brands, we will be able to capture an even larger market share to better cater to varying needs of business and leisure travellers.”

Of the eight new serviced residences signed, Tujia Somerset Palm Springs Chongqing is already operational and the other seven – Ascott Central Haikou, Citadines Taoyuanju Chongqing, Citadines Xixi Wetland Hangzhou and four more Tujia Somerset properties – are scheduled to open from next year to 2020.

This year, Ascott also opened 10 properties in China, adding more than 1,900 units to its network of serviced residences.

Ascott Central Haikou (opening in 2020)

Located in the new Central Business District of Hainan’s capital city, the 173-unit Ascott Central Haikou is part of an integrated development that includes a shopping mall. The serviced residence is also situated near the newly opened Riyue Plaza which houses the city’s largest duty-free shop. Ascott Central Haikou is a 15-minute drive from the new High Speed Railway Station and a 30-minute drive from the international airport. The property provides guests with a range of studios to three-bedroom apartments. Residents can relax in the residents’ lounge or clubhouse, work out in the gymnasium or swimming pool and those  travelling with children can also enjoy the playroom.

Citadines Taoyuanju Chongqing (opening in 2017)

The 178-unit Citadines Taoyuanju Chongqing is close to the industrial park where more than 200 companies are located. The third Singapore and China Government-to-Government project, the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative will draw even more business and leisure travellers to the city, generating demand for the serviced residence. Citadines Taoyuanju Chongqing is a 10-minute walk from the upcoming metro station, scheduled to open in the same year as the serviced residence, and a 10-minute drive from the Jiangbei International Airport. Residents can pick from studio apartments to two-bedroom units and the property will have a gymnasium, breakfast and residents’ lounge.

Citadines Xixi Wetland Hangzhou (opening in 2020)

Citadines Xixi Wetland Hangzhou will be part of an integrated development in the heart of the city’s Future Science City park, home to universities and offices including Alibaba’s global headquarters. The serviced residence will offer 180 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments and facilities such as a gymnasium, breakfast area, residents’ lounge and children’s playroom. Citadines Xixi Wetland Hangzhou will be conveniently located near to a train station when metro line 5 opens in 2019 and the opening of the Hangzhou West High Speed Rail in 2022 will further enhance the city’s connectivity.

New Tujia Somerset properties

The five Tujia Somerset properties are in China’s high-growth cities of Beijing, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Xiamen. The 81-unit Tujia Somerset Palm Springs Chongqing is already open for stays while the 75-unit Tujia Somerset ZhongGuanCun Beijing, 192-unit Tujia Somerset Jinsha Lake Hangzhou, 117-unit Tujia Somerset Riverside Shanghai and 279-unit Tujia Somerset Robinsons Xiamen are scheduled to open from next year to 2019. The serviced residences will have 24-hour reception and security, and apartments are equipped with kitchenettes as well as laundry facilities. Guests can choose from studios to three-bedroom units, and facilities include breakfast areas, meeting rooms, gymnasiums and a yoga room. Located in city centres, the Tujia Somerset properties are close to metro stations, attractions, shopping malls as well as industrial districts.

Mr Kevin Goh, Ascott’s Managing Director for North Asia, said, “China is Ascott’s largest market with the most number of properties and it is also one of the leading international serviced residence owner-operators in the country with more than 16,000 units across 26 cities. This market continues to signify immense potential for Ascott. In 2015, Chinese travellers made four billion trips within the country, twice of the previous year; it also leads the global outbound travel market. Our award-winning properties will not only attract domestic travellers but also become the preferred choice for Chinese travellers abroad.”

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