Sheraton's 100th site in China opens in Anning district of Lanzhou city

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy's global portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands, has added a new property to its hospitality landscape, with Sheraton Lanzhou Anning opening its doors in early July in Lanzhou, capital of Northwest China's Gansu province.

The opening also marks the 100th Sheraton hotel in China, where the brand made its market debut 50 years ago, according to the hotel.

Located in the heart of Lanzhou's Anning district, the new hotel draws on the brand's culture of rooting itself in local communities, as well as the brand's global renewal plan, to create an ideal gathering place for both locals and guests from around the world, according to its management.

In response to new changes in consumers' travel demands, Sheraton kicked off its brand transformation in 2018, focusing on three core experiences: work, meetings and rest. This vision aims to deliver a smooth and seamlessly integrated stay experience within contemporary spaces.

As of now, 17 Sheraton hotels across China have adopted the new design.

A destination steeped in heritage and history, Sheraton Lanzhou Anning calls upon Yellow River culture, Silk Road culture and ecological culture as sources of inspiration for its interior design.

For example, the lobby's background wall draws inspiration from the undulating hills of the Silk Road, using modern abstract techniques and metallic materials to depict the charm of the Lanzhou Silk Road Desert.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Sheraton's presence in China since the Sheraton Hong Kong opened in 1974.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have witnessed China's economic development and the thriving growth of the country's tourism and culture industry," said Mao Yibing, president of Marriott International Greater China.

The brand intends to open new properties in Xiamen of Fujian province, Xi'an and Xianyang in Shaanxi province, and Renhuai in Guizhou province by 2025, according to a company statement.

Marriott International plans to add approximately 40 new premium brand hotels to its portfolio in China by the end of 2025, said the statement.

Within the select-service hotel segment, the group is poised to continue its expansion into burgeoning districts within first and second-tier cities, concurrently penetrating the markets in third and fourth-tier cities.

Mao said that the core strategy for Marriott International's presence in China hinges upon excelling in first and second-tier cities, positing that such successes lay the groundwork for informed advancements into lower-tier territories.

When it comes to third and fourth-tier cities, Marriott's primary siting strategy revolves around catering to guest demands, with a pronounced emphasis on cities located along high-speed rail networks, thereby ensuring convenient travel and leisure experiences for its clientele.

"As we co-evolve with China's flourishing tourism sector, Marriott International capitalizes on its distinctive strengths to catalyze high-caliber advancement within the market," she said. "Synchronized with China's commitment to high-quality economic progression, Marriott International harnesses its international perspective and global expertise to propel China's hospitality industry forward."