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modusPR Weekly: “World’s Cheapest Ritz-Carlton” Faces Auction & The Westin Beijing Suspends Operations

01 Kunshan Welcomes Its First Wyndham Grand in Huaqiao

On March 18, Silver Bridge Group and Greater China Hospitality Group officially signed a strategic partnership, marking the landing of the Wyndham Grand hotel in the Huaqiao Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park. This signals the arrival of Kunshan’s first, and Suzhou’s second, Wyndham Grand property.

Positioned in the luxury segment, the project is Greater China Hospitality Group’s inaugural high-end hotel endeavor in Kunshan. Located in the Huaqiao Economic Development Zone, the property spans approximately 35,000 square meters. As the crown jewel of the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts portfolio, its arrival will fill the gap for premium hospitality in western Huaqiao. Slated for official operation in 2028, the platinum five-star standard hotel is expected to elevate the area’s international profile and inject fresh vitality into regional development.

02 Yunnan’s First Mövenpick by Accor Signed in Kunming

Accor’s Mövenpick brand is making its debut in Yunnan following the recent signing of a resort project in the picturesque Niulian fishing village, situated on the shores of Dianchi Lake in Kunming’s Jinning District. The development will seamlessly blend Accor’s world-class management and service standards with the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Dianchi. The ambition is to create an international resort destination that anchors Jinning while radiating across the Southwest, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, adding momentum to Kunming’s vision of becoming a world-class tourism city.

Upon completion, the project is expected to generate hundreds of high-quality local jobs, empowering villagers to benefit directly from eco-tourism. Furthermore, it will catalyze the growth of surrounding B&Bs, local dining, and agro-tourism, creating a thriving, interconnected cultural and tourism belt along the Dianchi coast.

03 Hotel Indigo Zhuhai Hengqin Officially Opens

On March 18, the Hotel Indigo Zhuhai Hengqin officially opened its doors. Situated in the heart of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, the property is located in Tianmu Qintai, the center of the Tianmu River. Drawing inspiration from the “World Tree” concept, the hotel’s design ingeniously integrates Hengqin’s exceptional ecological resources with its diverse cultural landscape.

Occupying floors 9 through 15 of Tianmu Qintai, the 23,100-square-meter hotel features 201 luxury rooms and suites. It boasts over 800 square meters of flexible meeting space, an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, a heated indoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center, catering comprehensively to business, leisure, and residential guests. Notably, the 68.3-meter-tall Tianmu Qintai complex—hailed as the “Heart of Hengqin”—is a multi-use hub featuring an exhibition hall, water sports center, and modern workspaces.

04 Marriott International Luxury Brands Debut “Art of Arrival” Residency Program

Timed with Hong Kong Art Month, Marriott International’s Luxury Brands portfolio—comprising The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels—has announced the launch of a new art residency program, “Art of Arrival”. The initiative invites emerging Chinese artist Chen Zuo on an inspiring journey across space and culture. Through the artist residency, bespoke creations, and a global touring exhibition, the program explores how the act of “arriving” serves as a catalyst for a dialogue between art and the soul, deeply connecting destination culture, hotel spaces, and the guest experience.

05 YOTEL to Join Hilton’s New “Select by Hilton” Portfolio

Hilton has announced an exclusive franchise agreement with the design-led independent hotel brand YOTEL, which will officially join Hilton’s new Select by Hilton brand. Founded in London in 2007, YOTEL currently operates in major global hubs including New York, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Glasgow, and Singapore. The brand is renowned for its tech-forward smart room designs and highly social public spaces, featuring signature amenities like the YOTEL SmartBed and automated luggage storage.

06 The Westin Beijing Suspends Operations

The Westin Beijing, a landmark property that first opened its doors in 2008, has officially suspended operations. This follows an October 17, 2023 announcement by China Jinmao, which successfully sold the hotel to Bohai Runze for RMB 2.802 billion.

Currently, all booking channels for the hotel have been closed. Whether the property will undergo renovation, rebranding, or eventually resume operations under its current name remains to be announced by the new ownership.

07 “World’s Cheapest Ritz-Carlton” in Chengdu Faces Judicial Auction

The real estate assets of the Chengdu R&F Ritz-Carlton—often dubbed the “world’s cheapest Ritz-Carlton” by travelers—are set to appear on a judicial auction platform. The Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court of Guangdong Province has scheduled the public auction from 10:00 AM on April 7 to 10:00 AM on April 8, 2026.

The starting bid is set at RMB 865.5 million, representing a 10% discount off its appraised value of RMB 961.6 million. Located at No. 269 Shuncheng Avenue in Chengdu’s Qingyang District, the property is registered under Chengdu R&F Panda City Project Development Co., Ltd. Currently, the auction is in the preview stage with no registered bidders yet, and the hotel continues to operate normally.

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