Renaissance man Xi Jinping will follow in footsteps of pop groups during Hong Kong stay

Wan Chai hotel that will host president was also the choice of a South Korean boy band and a Russian duo

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The Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel is less exclusive than the Grand Hyatt but is believed to offer security advantages. Photo: Felix Wong

Cat Schuknecht

Published: 8:48pm, 28 Jun 2017Updated: 10:52pm, 28 Jun 2017

If it’s good enough for a K-pop group, it’s good enough for President Xi Jinping.

Instead of joining the ranks of top state leaders as a patron of the Grand Hyatt on his three-day visit to Hong Kong this week, China’s president will stay at a nearby hotel that seems to be a favourite of foreign pop groups.

According to Chinese news sources, the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel in Wan Chai hosted rapper G-Dragon and his band mates in 2013 and Russian pop duo t.A.T.u in 2003. Another notable guest was politician Du Qinglin, vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

President Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan will arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

In contrast, the Grand Hyatt, where the president’s delegation will stay, is known for attracting the most elite visitors. Its guest roster includes former US president Bill Clinton, footballer David Beckham and Xi’s predecessor, Hu Jintao.

Xi won’t just miss out on prestige at the Renaissance; he’ll also forfeit space.

The hotel’s presidential suite is less than half the size – and about a third of the price – of the Grand Hyatt’s. (A night at the Grand Hyatt’s presidential suite costs about HK$88,000, compared with HK$28,000 at the Renaissance.)