Hilton has made two signings in Asia for the first Waldorf Astoria hotel in Osaka, Japan, and Conrad hotel in Chongqing, China, expanding the company’s luxury footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.
The two management agreements, inked with Orix Real Estate Corporation and Chongqing Jiafa Industrial Co. Ltd., respectively, add two properties to the company’s portfolio of luxury hotels in the region. When they open, the hotels will join the ranks of 30 operating hotels under the company’s group of luxury brands: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and LXR Hotels & Resorts.
“For more than a century, Hilton has thrived in key destinations all over the world, even through some of the most challenging periods in history,” said Alan Watts, president, Asia-Pacific, Hilton. “The strong growth momentum in Asia demonstrates the resilience of Hilton’s luxury brands amidst a dynamic operating landscape as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also signals great confidence from the owner and investment communities in the strength of our luxury brands. We are confident that together with our partners, Hilton will emerge from this pandemic stronger than before as we continue to deliver the light and warmth of hospitality to our guests and capture growth opportunities across key destinations for our owners.”
These signings add to recent growth for the company in the region. Other signings include the Waldorf Astoria Tokyo Nihonbashi a year ago representing the debut of Waldorf Astoria in Japan, closely followed by the opening of Waldorf Astoria Xiamen marking Hilton’s sixth hotel to open in Asia-Pacific under the luxury brand; along with the multi-deal signing of four luxury hotels in China with real estate development company Shimao Group Holdings Ltd. (Shimao) in April this year.
Most recently, Hilton launched its newest luxury brand in Asia-Pacific with the opening of ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts in September. The brand entry of LXR Hotels & Resorts complements Waldorf Astoria and Conrad to offer the full spectrum of luxury experiences in the region. Launching as well before the year closes is Conrad Jiuzhaigou, which will bring the brand’s contemporary design and intuitive service to travelers in the Chinese province of Sichuan when it opens in later this month.
“At the heart of luxury hospitality is the highly anticipatory and personalized service that is consistently delivered to our guests at every hotel,” said Nils-Arne Schroeder, VP, luxury and lifestyle, Asia-Pacific, Hilton. “Our award-winning luxury brands, Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and LXR, take that a step further. Each of our hotels is set within coveted addresses in some of the world’s most iconic destinations, with a promise of truly exclusive experiences delivered with unrivaled hospitality. The pace of our luxury expansion speaks to the strength of our world-renowned brands, the confidence our owners place in us, and the ability to meet our guests’ pent-up demand for luxury experiences, as we continue delivering on our promises to elevate luxury hospitality and preparing to welcome guests back as travel recovers.”
Hilton currently operates 30 hotels across its Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and LXR brands in Asia-Pacific, with a further 17 hotels in its development pipeline due to open over the coming years.