Maison Albar has global ambitions for its Golden Era
Maison Albar is expanding in both historical cities and nature resorts worldwide, with its initial focus on the Asia-Pacific, which currently offers many opportunities for the luxury boutique industry, the hotel group announced in Beijing on Thursday.
Maison Albar CEO Leon Cao said: "We have successfully signed seven projects in emerging markets in the past two months and are planning to operate them in two years. Our aim is to operate 150 hotels worldwide by 2025."
In China, Maison Albar has agreed projects in Beijing, Shanghai, Guiyang, Chengdu and Yunnan province. Other locations currently under discussion include Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou. And following the successful signing of two hotel projects in the Maldives, the company is also planning its presence in Bali and Sri Lanka.
The Albar family opened their first hotel in Paris in 1923, at the beginning of what was known as the Golden Era. Since then, the family raised four generations of hoteliers, passing on their passion for service for almost a century. The family has always embraced change and sought to adjust to changing trends. Today, each of their hotels offers an authentic French lifestyle experience through modern and elegant design, a high-end personalized service and a French caf in the heart of the lobby area. Rooms have a specially designed living area called the "Monet Corner", which create a relaxing and culture-filled space inspired by the Golden Era.
Maison Albar carefully selects each of their hotel locations. The flagship Maison Albar Champs-Elyses Mac Mahon hotel, for example, is at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe. While the brand's Yihe project in Beijing is located just outside the Summer Palace. In addition to its historical location, the Beijing boutique hotel aims to forge a connection with the local culture with an art exhibition area, an auction hall and a replica of the Forbidden City theater, which will reproduce the essence of old Beijing art. The Beijing project is expected to open for business in two years.
zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily 07/04/2015 page10)
