The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. Continues to Strengthen its Position in China with the Opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. continues to show its strong commitment to China with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen on March 15, 2009. The opening of this hotel further demonstrates the exceptional brand growth of The Ritz-Carlton in China, with five new luxury hotels having opened in the space of slightly more than two years.

The Ritz-Carlton, the world’s premier provider of luxury lifestyle experiences, has now expanded its footprint in mainland China to include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Sanya, offering not just city hotels, but also a resorts and Residences. The latest addition to the company’s growing portfolio of luxury hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen, will redefine the luxury lifestyle experience in the south China city.

"We are proud to partner with Shenzhen Galaxy Industrial Company in the development of this wonderful new hotel. The location offers significant advantages with its presence in the Futian Central Business District directly across from the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre in this fast developing business destination.” said Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer.

Contemporary in design, The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen comprises 282 luxurious guestrooms, including 43 suites that offer magnificent views of the city - nine of which feature signature balconies. The 446-square meter (4,801 square feet) Ritz-Carlton Suite features a magnificent two-storey grand entrance with floor-to-ceiling, offering a 270-degree panoramic view of the city, a steam room, Jacuzzi, study, library and games room.

Guests of The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level, the signature section of the hotel accessible only by key card access, will enjoy 24-hour refreshments in the hotel’s Club Lounge; the services of dedicated, multi-lingual concierge staff and a spectacular view of Futian central business district.

All guest rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including wireless and wired internet access, iPod docking stations, flat screen televisions and DVD players as standard to enable guests to both work and relax in their rooms. Most of the guest rooms will also offer luxurious free-standing bath tubs.

Four specialty restaurants, a lounge, a bar and a delicatessen will offer a multitude of dining options from traditional Chinese to classic Italian cuisine. Flavorz, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant will offer international favorites from five live cooking stations, while Xingli, a contemporary Chinese Restaurant, authentic Chiu Chow, Cantonese and Szechuan specialties will be served.

For those who have a taste for Italian, Paletto is a fine dining choice with a private room for special occasions. Surrounded by a beautiful array of greenery, the roof top poolside restaurant, Leaves, is an excellent place to savour a drink and enjoy South-East Asian favorites. Curv Bar is a comfortable setting for drinks, snacks, nightcaps and live entertainment, while Onyx Lounge will be the center of the hotel’s dramatic atrium space, with a focal curved wall that connects all levels of the hotel and is a combination of wood and back-lit golden-hued onyx. This versatile space is just as suitable for afternoon tea as it is for impromptu business meetings, where guests may take advantage of the wireless technology.

As a key destination for business in the city due to its facilities and close proximity to the Convention Centre, the Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen will offer a variety of fully-featured meetings and function space. The Grand Ballroom will offer 608 square meters’ (6,627 sq ft) of flexible meeting space - divisible by three - with 8.5-meter high ceilings, for conferences and special events of up to 600 guests, while nine smaller function rooms and an Executive Boardroom can be used for meetings from 12 to 300 guests.

In total the hotel will offer 1,319 square meters (14,364 sq ft) of meeting space, all of which will be equipped with the most advanced technology, including the broadcasting system linked to all function rooms, and a 12,000-lumen built-in projector. In addition to a world-class audio and visual set-up, the hotel’s Conference Butler, floral artist services and a dedicated catering and conference team ensures a seamless experience for all meetings and events.

The fifth floor of the hotel will feature a landscaped roof garden including an outdoor heated swimming pool, a terrace and Jacuzzi with sundeck. A 1,300 square meters (13,993 sq ft) Spa and Fitness Center occupying two floors offers a fully equipped gymnasium, yoga studio, six private treatment rooms and four outside cabanas. Indoors melts into outdoors as specialty treatment rooms open to the beautifully landscaped private terraces and outdoor pool.

The mixed-use complex will include The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen, office space, and high-end retail space and is conveniently located next to a metro station serving the city’s two main lines with direct access to rail links to Hong Kong and cities in China.

The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen is the sixth luxury property in the company to open in China. The hotel will join The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street, The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing, The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou and The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya.