A home away from home for business travelers

Jing Guang Centre, one of the tallest buildings in Beijing, enjoys a bird's eye view of the central business district. Provided to China Daily

Located in the central business district of Beijing, the 52-floor building used to be a city landmark - and is still one of the tallest buildings today. Guests can enjoy a view of Beijing's bustling business area.

The apartment takes the top 13 floors, while the lower floors comprise offices, restaurants and a hotel. All of these facilities are under the administration of the Hong Kong-headquartered New World Development Company Ltd.

Jing Guang Centre is primarily targeted at international business people, as nearly 80 percent of the apartments are one-bedroom units.

Around 60 percent of the guests are long-stays, for a month or longer. The other 40 percent are short-time travelers, according to apartment manager Andy Ng.

"When a guest leaves his country, they like to find a second home," he says. "And we are attractive to them because we are able to offer such services."

Jing Guang Centre "provides high-quality services, and at the same time pays attention to the whims of every guest", says Yvonne Zhao, the apartment's director of leasing.

It organizes friendship-enhancing activities every three or four months for the guests, to "draw closer the relationship between the managers and guests and among the guests themselves".

Last year, the guests were able to take to a tour of Changyu wine chateau in Beijing's suburbs. And in May this year, they visited Shidu, in southwestern Fangshan district, renowned for its karst landscape and sport of drifting.

On festivals such as Christmas and Mid-Autumn Festival, presents are sent to the guests' rooms.

"Many of our guests forget their birthdays. But we will remind them by sending them birthday cakes and greetings cards," Ng says.

"So, we are not just doing business with our guests, we actually become friends. And the guests will regard the apartment as a home," Zhao adds.

Jing Guang Centre is one of the first serviced apartments in the city, dating back to the early 1990s when it was part of a hotel. Its many experienced employees are regarded as "treasures of the company".

"New hotels and apartments are emerging these years, all large buildings," Ng says. "But as for the employees, training is not enough to make them experienced."

Jing Guang has created a "15-minute training" program, in which staff members of each department are asked to exchange their working experiences every morning for 15 minutes.

"The doors are open here," Ng says. "The managers are also ready to listen to the voices of our young employees. By sharing ideas, we can improve our service together," Ng says.