Singapore listed Banyan Tree Holdings has announced that it has partnered with local private property developer, Kunming City-Construction Real Estate Development Company to operate two new hotels in northern Kunming, Yunnan Province.

Banyan Tree Kunming and Angsana Kunming will be the Group's inaugural hotels in Kunming, and will complement its growth expansion in China where over a dozen projects are slated to open by 2012. Banyan Tree executive chairman, Ho Kwon Ping said that they were pleased to partner KCC to establish Banyan Tree Kunming and Angsana Kunming, due to the positive synergy and alignment of business philosophy between both companies. He added that with northern Kunming earmarked to be the city's new business hub, they were excited to be part of this development and looked forward to introducing their international brands of hospitality to the region.

KCC Chairman, Li Jie commented, he envisioned this integrated development would feature a holistic mix that will stimulate and energise the new city district. The new district includes business hotels, a financial centre, a business enterprise park, commercial facilities, as well as KCC's headquarters. Li added that KCC hoped to capitalize on the district's potential to fuel the growth of property development and bring healthy, renewed prospects and prosperity to Kunming.

Banyan Tree Kunming and Angsana Kunming will benefit from the area's intensive infrastructure development. For instance, the hotels will be within a 40-minute drive from Kunming International Airport. Further plans are in the pipeline to develop the area's entertainment, commercial, education, sports, medical and recreational facilities and services. Kunming also offers a diverse selection of travel experiences like the scenic Cui Hu (Green Lake) Park, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Stone Forest, and the Yunnan Nationalities Village.

Banyan Tree Kunming and Angsana Kunming will be part of an integrated development that will feature eight food and beverage outlets, meeting facilities, as well as the Banyan Tree Spa and Angsana Spa. The floor plan of two hotels, which are joined up to the 10th floor, is built in the shape of a figure eight, an auspicious number that is believed to bring fortune and luck.

Banyan Tree Kunming is slated to have around 150 rooms. Hotel guests can choose between modern Thai cuisine at Banyan Tree's signature Saffron restaurant, Chinese dishes at Baiyun, or panoramic views of the city at Vertigo. Banyan Tree Spa will introduce its brand of Asian-inspired spa treatments and service to Kunming, where guests can enjoy in the privacy of one of the eight treatment rooms. For a more contemporary retreat, guests can check into one of Angsana Kunming's 285 rooms. Guests can also indulge in refreshing facials or relaxing massages at Angsana Spa, which will have eight treatment rooms.

In addition to Banyan Tree Kunming and Angsana Kunming, the Group also announced earlier this month that it has signed a management agreement with KCC to develop a destination resort, Angsana Fu Xian Lake, in Chengjiang county. Overlooking the breathtaking Fu Xian Lake, the development spans 30 hectares, and offers over 1,300 room keys and eclectic selection of recreational facilities.

As part of the group's continued strategic collaboration with KCC, two other hotel management agreements have also been signed for projects in Dali and Yuanyang.

(China Hospitality News August 26, 2009)