BTNEWS July 2013 | Page 7

PREMIER INN set to launch compact ‘ hub ’ hotel brand
WYNDHAM set to open eight new China properties
Premier Inn is launching a new hotel concept incorporating cheaper compact rooms in city centre properties . Hub by Premier Inn will be opened in major cities with the first property due to open in Covent Garden , London in summer 2014 . Three more central London properties will follow in 2015 and another in 2016 .
Wyndham Hotel Group has announced its plans to expand in China with the development of eight new Ramada properties in emerging cities over the next two years .
Rooms will be up to 30 per cent cheaper than a comparable Premier Inn in central London , at £ 100 a night mid-week and off peak prices will be less . Each room will measure about 11.4 sqm and will come with an en suite bathroom with power shower , wardrobe , desk and a 40-inch smart screen television .
Hub by Premier Inn will be the UK ’ s first hotel chain where the rooms can be remote controlled using a smart phone app . Guests will have the option to check in online and then control the room ’ s temperature , lighting or even what is on the TV using their phone .
The new hotels will be developed in Linyi , Liuzhou , Changzhou , Changsha , Suzhou , Wuyishan and Xishuangbanna . These cities are seeing increased business traveller traffic as international companies are keen to establish a presence in their rapidly developing industries .
Duana Elledge , executive vice president and managing director of Wyndham in Asia-Pacific said : " The lack of quality rooms in many second-tier and third-tier cities provides us with opportunities to further expand our presence . We are proud to announce these new additions which will help grow our footprint in the region .”
The group currently operates 573 hotels within China and is the largest US-based hotel company in the nation . This development is the latest in Wyndham ' s extensive expansion plans globally , which has already seen the group open new hotels in Singapore and Istanbul so far this year .