Asia-based Dorsett Hospitality International to open first UK hotel
The seven-storey building, which was built as a cinema in 1923, will re-open its doors as Dorsett Shepherds Bush in May, featuring Chinese-inspired bedrooms, meeting rooms, a spa and two restaurants, one of which is expected to be operated by an 'established fine-dining Chinese restaurateur'.
Bedrooms, available in five room categories, all feature free high-speed Internet access and docking stations and guests booked into executive rooms or suites will be given access to an executive lounge which will offer food throughout the day, free Wi-Fi and other selected privileges.
Hilary Cross, former general manager at K West Hotel & Spa, has been appointed general manager of the new hotel and as well as running the hotel, will be responsible for introducing the brand to the UK and Europe.
She said: “I am delighted to be part of this extremely exciting London Hotel launch within the vibrant area of Shepherds Bush. Dorsett Shepherds Bush will be a hotel where British charm meets Asian hospitality and we look forward to introducing Dorsett Hotels & Resorts to the UK in May."
Asian investment
Dorsett Hospitality International, headquartered in Hong Kong, currently operates and manages 18 hotels in Asia under three brands - the midscale Dorsett Hotels & Resorts, the boutique-style d.Collection and value-led Silka.
The company is already planning to open its second London hotel - Dorsett London City - in a converted office building on Aldgate High Street. The 260-bedroom is one of 11 hotels that the group is planning to open in the UK, China and Hong Kong over the next two years.
Dorsett Hospitality International's expansion into the UK follows a rising trend of Chinese investors seeking hotel opportunities within Europe. The Global Hotel Investor Outlook 2013 report by Jones Lang LaSalle, released earlier this week predicts a rise in the number of Asian investors keen to enter the UK market, partly fuelled by the bank of China's willingness to lend to those doing just that.
"In the last 12 months, Chinese investors have arrived on European soil, and we expect this trend to continue as the number of outbound travellers from China swells," it says. "We’ve already seen Chinese investment move into Belgium, where the Cheng family bought the Penta portfolio of hotels from the Blackstone Group and during the summer, the second multi-million euro scoop by Chinese buyers was made when the Beijing-based Kang family purchased the 500-acre Fota Island Estate in Cork, Ireland."
