Fuchun Resort took a number of coveted titles at the World Travel Awards in 2010, including prizes for Asia’s Leading Luxury Golf Resort, Asia’s Leading Villa and China’s Leading Resort.

Here Breaking Travel News meets with Magdalene Yu, director of sales & marketing at Fuchun, to talk about what 2011 holds for the property.

Breaking Travel News: First of all, congratulations on your victory at the World Travel Awards in 2010. What do you think it is that separates you from your competitors in China?

Magdalene Yu (pictured): The unique location of Fuchun is one of the keys to our success.

Fuchun’s locale was the inspiration for celebrated Yuan Dynasty painter Wang Gongwang centuries ago.

Wang spent ten years living along the picturesque Fuchun River painting his phenomenal work, Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains. Now, at the exact location depicted in the scroll, today’s Fuchun Resort has come to life.

The resort is nestled in the lush, tea-covered hills of Fuyang Village in Hangzhou. The scenic 220-acre property is built in the middle of a tea plantation and circles a placid lake.

We also have the only golf course built with a full established accommodation with contemporary art and design in Hangzhou.

BTN: Will your World Travel Awards titles feature in your advertising during 2011?

MY: Yes, we did so with our quarterly news circulation to golf club members and our email signing off tag. Others include our eDM for special package or promotion.

BTN: Tell us a little about your relationship with the Leading Hotels of the World; what does this association bring to Fuchun Resort?

MY: We are delighted to be invited to join in the membership of LHW.

LHW is a prestigious luxury hospitality organisation representing the world’s finest hotels and resorts. It understands the finer points of hospitality and luxury which shared the same value with owners of Fuchun Resort.

This association represent our presence across the world and opens global opportunity to showcase the opulence and sophisticated style of this stand alone resort standing in a historical land in China. 

BTN: Are there any expansion plans at the property for 2011? Any new developments in the pipeline you might like to tell us about?

MY: With a popular demand on our Fuchun Suits - room with attached terrace - category; the management is looking into the expansion and construction work to increase such room type with selected rooms facing the placid lake which one can experience the sense of tranquillity and moments of stillness.

BTN: Who are your clientele? Do you attract visitors from outside China? Are your guests mainly leisure of business travellers?

MY: Our clienteles include event companies doing product launches for Hennessey, Clarins, Bentley and BMW; just to name a few. 

Yes, we attract guests from Japan, Hong Kong, USA and Europe (including UK; where BBC had taken up some shoots from us recently; including Eurosport Channel featuring in EU).

It is subjective to seasonal change in China. In spring and autumn we attract both FITs and corporate events; and in summer and winter we receive more business travellers running their meetings and events. 

BTN: Golf is a major part of your offering; can you talk us through what is on offer at the hotel?

MY: This is the resort’s sporting centrepiece: its stunning 18-hole golf course & club.

With a USGA course-rating system and eighteen holes, par-72, this visually breathtaking course was sculpted from the hills of the surrounding tea plantation and thus presents players of any skill level with a most unique challenge.

Designed by Daniel Obermeyer, top course designer for Gary Player in South Africa, additional golfing features include a beautifully landscaped, split-level driving range (uniquely designed for driving off of two platforms and partially covered with an appealing patio area) and a professional golf instruction program.

BTN: How about the spa?

MY: Spas may be new to China, but the holistic approach to healing and treating the body - the fundamental principle behind modern spas - has its roots in China.

The concept developed for Fuchun Spa aims to showcase the prosperity and refinery of Hangzhou while, at the same time, embodies the ancient Chinese precept of balance and harmony.

The Chinese have always believed in combining tranquil, moderate exercise with seasonal diets, stressing the importance of a serene mind.

Fuchun Spa harks back to this tradition and aspires to be the new guardian of health and wellbeing of the members and guests of the Resort.

BTN: Has the growth of China as an international tourist destination assisted the development of your property?

MY: Yes surely it does; especially with the EXPO year in 2010. Many have ‘swung by’ Hangzhou as a gate-way for a personal retreat.

It is just about 2.5hrs drive from the hassle and bustle Shanghai city and many Expats and locals pampered themselves by dwelling at “Fuchun Mountain” for a short hide-away with friends and family alike.