Pets and personal touches: how China’s luxury hotel market is changing
Chinese customers’ growing desire for personal expression and cultural experiences has raised the game in the country’s hospitality sector, creating opportunities for leading lifestyle hotel brands, according to a director at Hong Kong developer Hang Lung Properties. “An ideal hotel is the one that can redefine hospitality with personal touches,” said Herman Chui, the company’s senior director of…
Chinese luxury hotel market is undergoing a transformation driven by customers' increasing demand for personalization and cultural experiences, according to Herman Chui, senior director of Hang Lung Properties. Chui emphasized that an exceptional hotel should redefine hospitality through personal touches, such as allowing guests to select their preferred teapot and providing tailor-made key cards.
Notably, the hotel chain is also accommodating pets, reflecting the growing trend of young travelers seeking immersive experiences over mere displays of luxury. This shift in consumer preferences prompted Hilton's introduction of a new brand Tempo in China, aimed at capturing the growing demand for lifestyle-oriented hospitality.
In line with this, Hilton's Center 66 hotel in Wuxi, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton portfolio, will blend local culture with distinctive hospitality experiences, as stated by Weber Lo Wai-pak, CEO of Hang Lung. The developer's strategic focus on lifestyle hotels aligns with industry forecasts recognizing the need for emotional value in the hospitality sector to cater to Chinese travelers.
In 2026, mainland China's tourism industry generated 3.21 trillion yuan in revenue, a 2 percent increase from the previous year, despite a slower growth rate compared to the country's overall GDP growth.
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