The Mission Hills Group – a leading golf brand and driving force behind the sport’s rapid growth in China – announced Wednesday that it has partnered with Marriott International to manage new Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance Hotels at Mission Hills on Hainan in China.
Construction will commence early next year and project completion is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2013. Mission Hills will make an estimated investment of US$200 million.
The proposed Ritz-Carlton, Haikou will become the brand’s first Asia Pacific golf resort hotel. Guests at both hotels will enjoy access to all resort amenities at Mission Hills Hainan, including 10 golf courses carved through lava rock fields, spa and volcanic mineral springs, and leisure town center established by Mission Hills in partnership with Lan Kwai Fong, featuring lifestyle, shopping, entertainment, dining and cultural elements.
Mission Hills expanded its reach from Guangdong to Hainan in 2008. Since then, it has invested more than US$1 billion in Haikou, the capital city of Hainan. Dubbed as “the Hawaii of the East,” the island is developing a strong international tourism industry, with eyes on becoming the world’s leading tourism destination by 2020.
“It is a win-win situation for both companies,” said Dr. Ken Chu, chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group. “Mission Hills prides itself on offering world-class golf and hospitality facilities, and The Ritz-Carlton is a market leader in the provision of luxury lifestyle experiences. The partnership will boost the local economy, attract a broad range of new clientele and benefit current Mission Hills members and guests by offering enhanced access to state-of-the-art facilities. By combining our areas of expertise, we will provide the ultimate high-end golf and holiday experience.”
Simon Cooper, president and managing director, Asia Pacific, at Marriott International and former president of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., said, “Hainan represents a massive growth market for the hotel industry and one which Marriott is keen to maximize. Mission Hills’ vision is very impressive and we look forward to our new partnership providing visitors to Mission Hills Hainan the ultimate in modern hospitality.”
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Mission Hills Hainan will adopt a traditional Spanish hacienda theme offering a striking contrast to the captivating volcanic landscape and native lava rock formations of the Blackstone Course. The facility will include 180 rooms, 20 villas, one presidential villa, a spa and The Ritz-Carlton Golf Clubhouse. The Renaissance Hotel will feature 300 rooms.