China, Middle East: New Fairmonts planned in the next two years

By Rosemary McClure

Dec. 6, 2012 12 AM PT

Look to China and the Middle East for new Fairmont hotel projects; both are in the forefront of a development boom launched by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which plans to develop more than 20 new properties in the next few years in several new destinations. It plans to be represented in 22 countries by 2014.

First on the schedule for China is Nanjing, one of China’sfour ancient capitals, where a Fairmont is to open next fall on the banks of the Yangtze River. Two more hotels are slated for 2014: the Fairmont Chengdu in Southwest China and the Fairmont Taiyuan on the Fen River in northern China. All three cities are provincial capitals.

“Increasing our exposure in Asia Pacific is something we’re very focused on right now and we see great opportunity to further grow the Fairmont brand in China,” said Ian Wilson, Fairmont regional vice president for China and southeast Asia.

The resort group already operates Fairmont Beijing and Shanghai’s Fairmont Peace Hotel, among others, and has other developments in the pipeline that will double the number of hotels it has in China in the next two to three years, Wilson said.

“The city of Nanjing was a natural fit for a Fairmont because it is well-known as a cultural and commercial metropolis,” Wilson said. “Fairmont Nanjing will be a spectacular hotel when it opens next year and will be a welcome addition to the city for both residents and visitors alike.”

Nanjing is a cultural and commercial center with several historical sites, museums, temples and Ming tombs that are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The hotel will be part of a new residential and commercial development and will feature 371 rooms and suites, a variety of restaurants and bars, a spa and meeting space.

Several Fairmont properties are also planned for the Middle East, including Dubai, where the Palm is opening this month along the Jumeirah coastline. The resort is part of an extensive development project.

Scheduled to open in 2013 are Fairmont Ajman and Fairmont Fujairah, both in United Arab Emirates, and Fairmont Riyadh, Business Gate, Saudi Arabia.