Interstate Hotels & Resorts on Tuesday announced that Interstate China has signed an agreement to manage the 850-room DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai-Pudong, the first Hilton Worldwide-franchised hotel in China and the first DoubleTree hotel in the city. The hotel, owned by Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels (Group) Co. Ltd., converted to the DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai-Pudong on February 28 and will immediately begin a multi-million dollar comprehensive renovation to be completed in 2013. This marks the 10th Doubletree to open in China.
“It is extremely gratifying to be the first hotel operator of a franchised DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in China,” said Jim Abrahamson, Interstate’s chief executive officer. “Interstate China, our joint venture with Jin Jiang Hotels, is a business model that we have successfully implemented in other regions globally.”
Formerly the Sofitel JJ Oriental Hotel, the two-tower, 850-room hotel is located in Shanghai’s dynamic Pudong district.
As part of the hotel’s upcoming refurbishment program, a new 8,000 square foot ballroom will be constructed, while all food & beverage outlets, meeting and banquet space, and retail offerings will be re-designed and revitalized to meet the standards and contemporary style of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand.
The opening of DoubleTree by Hilton, Shanghai-Pudong is part of a strong hotel development pipeline that is expected to lead to more than 30 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts opening in key city centres and leisure destinations across China during the next few years.