Image good for business

Visitors to Chengdu are spoilt for choice with a number of luxury hotels opening over the past year and more in the pipeline. However, there's unlikely to be a price war as demand will continue to be fuelled by increased business activities in the city.

"In recent years, Chengdu has attracted the attention from both within China and globally," says Coco Ren, director of sales and marketing of Grand Hyatt Chengdu, which is expected to open in the second half of this year. 

"It not only has a good image as an international tourist city, it also possesses favourable conditions such as more direct flights to international cities."

Chengdu's economic power has risen dramatically in recent times, and this will bring greater business opportunities to southwest China and make the city the optimal choice for corporations wanting to enter the region, says Bill Fisher, general manager of Hilton Chengdu which will open later this month. 

Fisher believes that despite the growth in the number of hotel rooms in the city, competition among hotels will be healthy and this will keep the industry focused on delivering a high-value experience to guests.

Hotels which have opened in the city in the past year include the Diaoyutai Boutique Hotel, St Regis, Niccolo, The Temple House, and Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain. They will be joined by the Hilton and the Grand Hyatt before the end of this year. Since its opening in the last quarter of 2014, the Diaoyutai Boutique Hotel has found its niche by focusing on middle- to upper-tier customers. Designed by renowned French architect Bruno Moinard, the hotel consists of two adjoining courtyards integrating Western and Oriental designs. It offers 45 rooms, featuring 26 different designs and relatively large rooms from 55 to 145 square metres.