The Millennium Hotel flag is set to soar again in China with the latest addition to the Millennium & Copthorne, the five-star Millennium Chengdu which will open in mid-2008 -

The 363-room Millennium Chengdu is located in Chengdu in the Sichuan province. The Sichuan province is famous for its World Heritage Site – the Dujiangyan Irrigation System which is one of the world's oldest functioning irrigation systems; the Wolong Panda Reserve; the scenic lakes and lush green forests in Jiuzhaigou Valley; and the Yangtze River which cuts through Mount Wushan bordering Chongqing and Hubei to create the famous Three Gorges.

The project underlines Millennium & Copthorne (M&C) Hotels plc's strategy to expand its presence in East Asia, especially China; the first Millennium property in China, the Millennium Hongqiao Shanghai Hotel opened in 2006. It is managed by M&C. The second, the Grand Millennium Beijing Hotel, which will be owned and managed by M&C, is scheduled to open in 2008, in time for the Beijing Olympics.

A management contract was signed today between M&C and the owner of the property, Chengdu New Orient Development Co Ltd which develops condominiums, commercial buildings and hotels in China. 

Millennium Chengdu is strategically located along Shen Xian Shu Road South which is an affluent residential neighbourhood in the southern part of the second ring road. This residential-style corporate hotel is a 20-minute drive away from the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

"As more international routes make direct connection to Chengdu, the hotel will be well placed to benefit from the corporate market and weekend business arising from higher tourists' arrival," said Mr Kwek Leng Beng, Chairman of London-listed M&C Hotels plc, who is also Executive Chairman of the Hong Leong Group Singapore.

Millennium Chengdu is also accessible to the city sports complex and golf driving range as well as the High Technology Zone, home to major foreign companies.

"The Millennium Chengdu Hotel concept is one that creates a residential feel for corporate travellers. I believe the hotel's association with the High Technology Zone area and its easy link to the international airport will ensure that it will become a popular venue," Mr Kwek added.

With a total floor area of 31,500 square metres, the 14-storey Millennium Chengdu comes with well-appointed guestrooms, Executive Club Rooms and suites, including a room for disabled guests. Each room is equipped with up-to-date facilities like broadband Internet access, flat-screen TV, and CD and DVD system. The hotel's business centre and conference rooms are also equipped with state-of-the-art meeting facilities for high-powered business and social events. 

Guests of Millennium Chengdu will also enjoy a variety of stylish and upscale F&B outlets; a café which serves international fare, and a Chinese restaurant that serves Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine. The tastefully-designed F&B outlets feature a thoughtful blend of traditional Chinese decoration and contemporary Western ambience; where East meets West, where tradition meets innovation in perfect harmony. Other leisure amenities include a spa and fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool.

Unlike other business hotels, Millennium Chengdu's location at the fringe of the city gives business travellers a sense of serenity and spaciousness. "It is an ideal corporate retreat destination for Chinese and international multi-national companies as the hotel offers a relaxed and cozy ambience – the perfect sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city yet retaining a sense of calmness and composure of the Chinese culture," said Mr Michael Sengol, Chief Operating Officer of M&C Hotels plc.

The hotel's location amidst lush greenery makes it an ideal escapade where guests will get to enjoy the warm hospitality and high service standards which are recognisable attributes associated with the Millennium brand name.

The London-listed M&C Hotels plc, a 53% subsidiary of City Developments Limited (CDL) and part of the Hong Leong Group Singapore, operates in major gateway cities in 17 countries with a portfolio of more than 110 three-, four- and five-star hotels worldwide.