Hong Kong-based Hotels G, which currently operates three properties in China and Thailand, has unveiled plans to embark on a major expansion of its portfolio in Asia and the US.
The company has revealed that it will add two more properties this year, followed by a further four in the subsequent two years. These new hotels will add to the existing three properties – the original Hotel G Beijing and the Pullman Bangkok Hotel G and Pullman Pattaya Hotel G, both of which were added last year following a joint branding agreement with Accor.
The 2013 openings will include the Residence G in Hong Kong, and its first franchised property, Hotel G San Francisco, which will launch in October this year. Two more Chinese properties will then be added in 2014 – Residence G Shenzhen and Hotel G Suzhou – with Hotel G Guangzhou opening in 2015, along with Residence G Pattaya in Thailand.
Three more Hotel G projects are also in the pipeline, in cities of Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei. In total, the company expects to operate at least 13 properties in Asia and the US in the next few years.
Hotels G’s CEO, Christophe Vielle, said the properties would appeal to a younger audience.
“We are targeting a gap in the market for young, savvy travellers and guests who are keen on design and looking for cutting-edge experiences,” Vielle said. “There are many standardised international hotel brands and local brands, but nothing like us in between. We believe we can fill this gap with lifestyle products such as Hotel G – a brand that offers a certain sense of lifestyle through unique designs, friendly yet professional services, in-vogue restaurants and trendy bars.”
Vielle added that while Asia is Hotels G’s main focus, the group also looking for opportunities in Europe and the US. And Vielle said his brand offered more flexibility to hotel owners than other international hospitality companies.
“Small, independent owners often find it difficult to adapt their needs to the ones of international groups,” he said. “But we believe that trend will be reversed in the coming years. Owners will want to be heard and will want to partner with smaller yet professional hospitality management companies who will work closely with them to market and run a successful operation. Our focus is to build the right products and to run successful operations to serve developers’ visions and interests.
