Marriott commits to Chinese Winter Olympic venue

Marriott International has agreed to manage a hotel located in the Chinese ski resort that will host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The Games was awarded to Beijing, but most of the mountain events will actually take place in Zhangjiakou, which lies in Hebei province, almost 220km northwest of China’s capital city. And Marriott has now confirmed plans to bring its healthy-living Element brand to Zhangjiakou, with the signing of a management agreement for a new-build hotel.

Element is also designed as an extended-stay concept, and Marriott has identified China as a key market for the expansion of the brand.

“Our active guests want to explore new destinations while maintaining their daily routines, whether they’re planning longer stays, travelling with a large group or going on a family vacation, Element Hotels gives them the flexibility and the space to live their lives,” said Mike Fulkerson, Marriott’s vice president of brand & marketing for Asia Pacific.

“We’re noticing a strong interest for this fresh-thinking, longer-stay brand in China, where there is a fast-growing need, inspiring us to continue to grow.”

Located in the Taiwoo Ski and Mountainous Resort, Element Chongli will provide access to the area’s rapidly-developing winter sports facilities, while the city centre and Zhangjiakou Airport are both less than one hour away. A high-speed rail line is being built between Chongli and Beijing, which is due to open in 2018, reducing the travelling time from the capital to just 40 minutes. Element Chongli is only 1km away from the new high-speed train station.

Once completed, the new upscale hotel will feature 164 rooms, all with telescopes for star-gazing and kitchenettes. There is also a 24-7 self-service F&B area, restaurant, 24-hour fitness centre, indoor saltwater swimming pool, free Wi-Fi and a 90m² conference room.

Further Element Hotels are also being planned in Tianjin, Sanya, Yinchuan and Mile.