The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C. cemented its position as the largest and fastest-growing luxury hotel company in China with the announcement today of agreements with the Shanghai Greenland Group, one of China’s premier property developers, for the development of two new Ritz-Carlton hotels in China – The Ritz-Carlton, Wuhan and The Ritz-Carlton, Dalian.

These two hotels will be iconic in China and across the world as they are being built at the top of landmark developments in these two key cities. The Ritz-Carlton, Wuhan will be located at the top of the 606-meter-high Wuhan Greenland Center, while The Ritz-Carlton, Dalian will occupy floors 64-81 of the 518-meter-high Dalian Greenland Center - both will be the tallest buildings in each city. This ground-breaking agreement will see The Ritz-Carlton with 13 hotels in China by 2016.

Herve Humler, The Ritz-Carlton president and chief operating officer, said of the agreements: “We are delighted to be working with such dedicated and ambitious partners as Greenland on these two stunning hotels. These buildings will set the stage for stylish and contemporary Ritz-Carlton hotels in these two major Chinese cities. The Ritz-Carlton has long been known in China as the leading provider of luxury lifestyle experiences, and these hotels will allow us to showcase our product to a wider audience in China and show that we really do take luxury to new heights.”

Mrs. Zhang Yun, Vice President, Greenland Group, said: “We are proud to be cooperating with The Ritz-Carlton on these mixed-use developments in Wuhan and Dalian. These are signature buildings offering luxury office, residential and retail space both of which will be anchored by Ritz-Carlton hotels. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company clearly leads the way for luxury hospitality in China, and we are delighted to be partnering with them on these important developments.”

Scheduled to open in 2016, the 330-room The Ritz-Carlton, Wuhan will be located in the center of the Wuchang Binjiang CBD. MICE facilities will include more than 2,500 square meters of meeting space, while those looking to relax can take advantage of a heath club, pool and spa.

The hotel will offer a choice of dining options and bars including a 170-seat three-meal restaurant and 150-seat Chinese restaurant which will feature 12 exquisite private dining rooms and will focus on world-class regional cuisine. The hotel will also have a lobby lounge capable of hosting 70 guests and a 50-seat Ritz-Carlton Bar with astonishing views over the city. In addition to these restaurants, the hotel will offer selection of food and beverage options on the 119th floor of the hotel which will be at the very top of the building and encased in a glass dome were dinners can enjoy their meals at an elevation of 545 metres.

Located in the heart of Dalian’s Donggang CBD, The Ritz-Carlton, Dalian will offer a prime location in the city. The 300-room hotel will form part of a mix-use development and will offer a variety of restaurants bars and other facilities to its luxury guests, whether they are visiting on business or leisure.

This agreement helps to further cement The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company’s position as the leading luxury hospitality brand in China and enables more Chinese and international guests to engage with the brand, its product and its ladies and gentlemen. These new developments will be destinations in their own right in both Wuhan and Dalian and will be a mark of luxury in these great cities. The hotels will also further strengthen the already strong relationship that Marriott International – the parent company of The Ritz-Carlton – has with Greenland who already owns three hotels with the company.

City.Mobi

Also in China today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Beijing.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Beijing.city.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.