The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. Officially Opens In Chengdu, Elevating Luxury In South West China

CHENGDU, China, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Chengdu's newest and most anticipated hotel officially opens its doors today.  Located in the heart of the city that was once the site of an imperial palace, the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu marks the official arrival of luxury hospitality in South Western China.

Towering above Tianfu Square in the city's cosmopolitan heart, the 353 room property will be the ninth in China for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. and the 19th in Asia Pacific. With interior design inspired by traditional Chinese courtyard homes, oriental motifs have been skillfully blended into a contemporary luxury hotel. The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu pays homage to the past, while also catering to the modern needs of its guests with unmatched hotel accommodations.

"We are delighted to be opening our first hotel in Chengdu, an important gateway city in one of the world's fastest growing travel destinations in south west China," said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operations Officer of The Ritz-Carlton. "The city has true international appeal, attracting visitors from all over the world for business or pleasure. We are delighted to play our part in helping put this vibrant destination on the map for discerning luxury travelers."

The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu provides an ideal base from which to explore the city's cultural and culinary wealth. Chengdu sits astride the 2,000 year old Silk Road and enjoys a reputation as the birthplace of a unique Kung Fu Chinese tea culture.

With areas of outstanding natural beauty located nearby, such as JiuZhai Valley and the Panda Sanctuary, the destination continues to grow in stature internationally, and command much interest and intrigue to the global traveler.

The city of 15 million was also named by Forbes as one of the world's fastest growing cities in the world, and cited by UNESCO as the first City of Gastronomy in Asia, for its fiery Sichuan cuisine.

The 41-storey luxury hotel has unrivalled views over downtown Chengdu with the highest guestrooms in the city.  Those who have reserved one of 113 Ritz-Carlton Club level rooms or 55 suites will experience China's only dedicated Club level personal butler services during their stay. The Ritz-Carlton Club Level provides an exclusive concierge, private check-in, and five delicious food and beverage services throughout the day within a stunning lounge boasting panoramic views of Chengdu.

Designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, The Ritz-Carlton Spa draws inspiration from Chengdu's position along the Ancient Silk Road with a contemporary twist. Utilizing historically-appropriate materials that include indigenous woods, metals, marble and the trade route's namesake silk, the designers have created spaces which combine modern Chinese luxury with local culture. The spa has ten treatment rooms including two couples' suites and luxurious heated jade stone beds.

The striking sanctuary also includes a beauty salon and a Technogym-outfitted Fitness Center built around a 25-meter indoor swimming pool equipped with an underwater music system.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu offers unrivalled dining and memorable experiences with the dedicated craftsmanship of Ritz-Carlton chefs, mixologists and sommeliers at its four restaurants and bars. Li Xuan Chinese Restaurant brings together the finest Cantonese dishes with local Sichuanese creations; SPICES, an all-day dining restaurant orchestrates the theatre and excitement of five open kitchens with cuisine from Italy, Japan, China and South East Asia.

The Lobby Lounge hosts a traditional English Afternoon Tea. The FLAIR lounge, designed by KCA International, has sweeping views of Chengdu from its outdoor terraces. Private rooms offer a sophisticated menu of classic cocktails, Asian tapas and fresh sushi. Complete with live DJs and a 360 degree fireplace, FLAIR will create a distinctive ambience that will make it the new beating heart of trendy upscale night life in the city.

With 1,700 square meters of event space, The Ritz-Carlton can cater to a broad range of upscale meetings and events for up to 900 guests with its two versatile luxury ballrooms and seven meeting rooms.

For more information on The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/chengdu.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 80 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR).

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.