Marriott International has signed a management agreement with Haicheng Investment Development Co., Ltd to manage a 311-room Marriott hotel in Ningbo, China. When opened in 2007, it will be the 11th Marriott-flagged hotel in China. The project architect is GMP Architects, and Hirsch Bednar Associates is the interior design firm.
The property will be located in the heart of the central business district of Ningbo within a mixed-used project containing a 38-story building that will house the hotel and office space. The hotel will face the southern tip of Jiangbei across the Yuyao River, which is now home to a newly-redeveloped historic neighborhood housing trendy restaurants and entertainment spots. Within walking distance is Tianyi Square, Ningbo’s main shopping area.Ê

A port city, Ningbo ranks 11th in GDP among all cities in China. Apart from shipping, Ningbo’s economy is driven by small-scale engineering, garments, sportswear, food processing and toy factories. Major companies that have invested in the city’s industrial zones include Concord Oil, Exxon, Dow Chemical, Shell, China Tai, Itochu, Mitsubishi Chemical, Formosa Plastics, Nishin Steel and BP.

“We’re excited by our growing portfolio of Marriott hotels in China,” said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International. “Ningbo’s vibrant investment climate and considerable trade volume will provide an excellent source of business for the hotel, and we fully expect this property to be a welcomed addition to the business and tourism infrastructure of this growing city.”

For dining and entertainment, the Ningbo Marriott Hotel will have a lobby lounge and three restaurants: a casual restaurant, a Chinese restaurant with six private dining rooms, and a specialty restaurant.Ê

Recreational amenities will include a fitness center offering six treatment rooms and an indoor swimming pool. Other amenities will feature a gift shop, business center, lobby concierge desk and an executive level lounge and guest rooms.

For conferences and social events, the Ningbo Marriott Hotel will have 1,118 square meters of flexible space. Included will be a 750-square-meter ballroom that will be divisible into six sections; two 125-square-meter meeting rooms, each of which will be divisible into two sections; and two other individual meeting rooms.
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