Huazhu Hotels Group

**Huazhu Hotels Group Ltd** (simplified Chinese: 华住酒店集团; traditional Chinese: 華住酒店集團; pinyin: *Huázhù Jiǔdiàn Jítuán*), is a hotel management company in China. It was previously known in English as **China Lodging Group Limited** (Nasdaq: **HTHT**). The company head office is in Changning District, Shanghai.

## History

The China Lodging/Hanting Inns business was established in 2005. The original company, Powerhill, was established in 2005, and the current Huazhu company was established in 2007. Ji Qi (Chinese: 季琦,; pinyin: *Jì Qí*), the founder, stated that he got the idea to start the chain by reading a book discussing Accor Hotels. As of 2012 the company had four brands and about 1,000 properties in China.

In May 2015 the company announced that former President Jenny Zhang was to be appointed Chief Executive Officer. In 2017, Huazhu Hotel Group acquired Crystal Orange Hotel Group for CNY3.65 billion.

In January 2016 Huazhu and Accor Hotels finalize their strategic alliance.

In 2018 Huazhu Announces Acquisition of Blossom Hill Hotels & Resorts.

In August 2018, the company faced a major data breach, wherein millions of customer data was leaked and sold on the dark web.

On November 4, 2019 it was announced that the company; through one of their subsidiaries had been purchased by 7&i Hotels (who also acquired Deutsche Hospitality within the same day) for 700 million Euro.

## Operations

The company brands include **Hanting Inns and Hotels** (汉庭连锁酒店; 漢庭連鎖酒店; *Hàntíng Liánsuǒ Jiǔdiàn*) including **Hanting Express** (汉庭快捷; 漢庭快捷; *Hàntíng Kuàijié*); **Hi Inn** (海友酒店; *Hǎiyǒu Jiǔdiàn*); **JI Hotel** (全季酒店; *Quánjì Jiǔdiàn*), **Starway Hotel** (星程酒店; *Xīngchéng Jiǔdiàn*), **Joya Hotel** (禧玥酒店; *Xǐyuè Jiǔdiàn*), and **Manxin Hotels and Resorts** (漫心度假酒店; *Mànxīn Dùjià Jiǔdiàn*). The company classifies Joya and Manxin as upscale brands, JI and Starway as midscale, and Hanting and Hi Inn as economy brands. Previously the sub-brands of Hanting Inns and Hotels were **Hanting Seasons Hotel** and **Hanting Express Hotel**, and **Hanting Hi Inn**.

Upscale

* **[PARTNER] Grand Mercure** - Grand Mercure is an upscale network of hotels and apartments combining rich local traditions with renowned French touches to deliver a fresh perspective on world-class service. Grand Mercure is a cultural touchstone in each destination, capturing guests’ imagination and bringing local stories to life. Operating in Asia Pacific for almost 20 years, the Grand Mercure brand is uniquely adapted to each market, launching Grand Mercure Mei Jue in China and Grand Mercure MahaCipta in Indonesia, with further expansion planned in Latin America and the Middle East – countries where there is a greater demand for hotels that truly understand the different expectations of their guests and can help guests ‘discover a new authentic’.
* **VUE** - Designed by the internationally renowned company MOD and managed by a foreign hotel management team, VUE is a top concept hotel of a city resort where you not only can experience the impact of local traditional culture and modern art, but also enjoy a luxurious lifestyle and top cuisine. Pink Rabbit Restaurant and FAB Bakery in the hotel hire 3-star Michelin chefs and pastry chefs. The sound system on the rooftop Moon Bar was designed by the famous German DJ Kai. Our customers can overlook Houhai Beijing from the rooftop bar while sipping red wine in the rooftop Jacuzzi.
* **Joya** - As an upscale hotel brand subordinated to HUAZHU Group, Joya focuses on the core needs of modern business travelers and is committed to introducing new operational thinking and space aesthetics to traditional hotels. We seek to bring high-quality services, efficient and smart facilities and member-friendly courtesies to our business clients. Joya is a paradise to indulge in a brand new and elegant oriental lifestyle.

Upper Midscale

* **[PARTNER] Mercure** - Mercure is a midscale hotel brand that combines the strength of an international network with a strong quality commitment and the warm experience of hotels that are rooted in their local community. Mercure hotels are managed by enthusiastic hoteliers and welcome business and leisure travelers across the world. With Mercure, AccorHotels offers hotels that are all different and rooted in their local community. Mercure has over 750 hotels in more than 50 countries. They are ideally located in city centers, by the sea or in the mountains.
* **[PARTNER] Novotel** - Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts provide a multi-service offer for both business and leisure guests, with spacious, modular rooms, 24/7 catering offers with balanced meals, meeting rooms, attentive and proactive staff, kid areas, a multi-purpose lobby and fitness centers. Through PLANET 21, AccorHotels’ sustainable development program, Novotel commits to Man and the Planet. Novotel has over 460 hotels and resorts in more than 60countries, ideally located in the heart of major international cities, business districts and tourist destinations. With Novotel, AccorHotels leaves guests free to enjoy their stay to the full.
* **Crystal Orange** - Founded in 2006, Crystal Orange Hotel is a boutique design hotel with a large international hotel designer team. The hotel has been adhering to the design concept of “One hotel, one design” to build each hotel as an artwork. Our design inspiration comes from all good things in life, fashion and art. We utilize the beauty of design to overturn your perception of the hotel. The room facilities are superior to most five-star hotels – free Wi-Fi providing high-speed Internet access, international brand LCD TVs, Kohler sanitary ware, smart lighting system and Bluetooth audio. The room sound insulation solution is designed by Acoustics Institute of Tsinghua University that guarantees up to 60 dB of sound insulation.
* **Manxin** - Manxin is a upper midscale personalized hotel brand under HUAZHU Group. With colorful, enthusiastic and sexy as its keynote. Here in Manxin, labels of the city – Trendy, Stylish, Taste, Casual, Socially, Intelligent, are disorganized and broken up to rebuild a personalized paradise in the city. It is more than accommodations, but an adventurous journey of restructuring life. With high-quality guest rooms, smart guest control, personalized space design, and a wealth of in-store events, Manxin is committed to providing consumers with an unprecedented accommodation experience. We are always ready to enjoy the wonder of life and explore the infinite possibilities with our target customers, regardless of their age, gender and nationality. LIVE LIVELY represents our brand proposition.

Midscale

* **[PARTNER] ibis Styles** - Ibis Styles has witnessed remarkable development through intensive management of Accor Hotels Group and HUAZHU Group adhering to its unique characteristics and dedication to design, which has displayed a brighter and more vibrant brand personality and provided comfortable and quality service to our customers. Ibis Styles, featuring French fashion and romanticism, will be the best choice for business people and white collars, meeting their needs for travel comfort and enjoyment.
* **[PARTNER] ibis** - ibis is a global hotel brand owned by Accor Hotels Group. It is more than 40 years old and ranks No.1 in European chain hotels. The newly upgraded ibis hotel will bring you a more comfortable and sweet experience! From the modern reception area to the unique guest room, the high-quality soundproof door and sweet bed guarantee your quality sleep. In addition, the “Mission 15” and 24-hour caring service provide customers with an incomparable service experience. We promise to offer 8-hour light meals, a buffet-style breakfast from 7 to 10 am, afternoon tea and bar service. More than 1,000 ibis hotels in 64 countries and regions around the world will be your reliable and comfortable home on the journey.
* **Ji** - Founded in 2010, Ji Hotel has established a superior presence in more than 400 hotels covering 100 major cities across the country. It integrates traditional Chinese hospitality rituals such as “gentle, kind, respectful, frugal and modest” into its humanistic attitude toward life. The hotel creates a full-season lifestyle in its products, space and services, advocating a moderate brand philosophy and seeking to offer guests a “natural & native” feeling about the brand and an impressive accommodation experience. Rather than over-decoration and luxurious fitment, the Hotel reserves a pure white space for travelers to clear their minds for meditation and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in the hotel.
* **Orange Select** - Founded in 2006, Orange Select is a boutique design hotel with a large international hotel designer team. The hotel has been adhering to the design concept of “One hotel, one design” to build each hotel as an artwork. Our design inspiration comes from all good things in life, fashion and art. We utilize the beauty of design to overturn your perception of the hotel. The room facilities are superior to most of the five-star hotels – free Wi-Fi providing high-speed Internet access, international brand LCD TVs, Kohler sanitary ware, smart lighting system and Bluetooth audio. The room sound insulation solution is designed by Acoustics Institute of Tsinghua University that guarantees up to 60 dB of sound insulation.
* **CitiGO** - As a light luxury and social brand subordinated to HUAZHU Group, CitiGO, designed by internationally renowned designers, has been dedicated to bringing a new hotel experience to local residents and travelers through unique design styles and scenes. In CitiGO, everything is convenient and full of modern thinking. You can use your mobile phone to check in, open the door, and or exert smart control over the air conditioning, lighting, curtains, TV and other equipment in the room. The hotel facilities such as restaurants, bars, roof gardens, open-air cinema and gymnasiums also create a strong social atmosphere for guests to make friends. As a hotel advocating a "light attitude", the theme of CitiGO is to be young, casual, and positive, encouraging a moderate and sound but inexpensive light consumption. You don’t need to spend too much money to enjoy quality but not extravagant accommodation experience at CitiGO where fine living supplies, from Hansgrohe and Duravit sanitary wares to Smart TV and Borghese bath amenities are available.
* **Starway** - Starway is the first Chinese midscale hotel brand that has invited a well-known French design team, representing the fusion of Chinese and Western styles. We are committed to creating a midscale hotel product for Chinese business travelers in accordance with international business standards.Starway advocates a warm and sweet service by selecting three- and four-star high-quality independent hotels to inject heart-warming customer experiences into modern management and brand management concepts in our featured services. At the same time, Starway has excellent cost performance and is different from upscale hotels and economy hotels, thus distinguishing itself as a classic midscale chain hotel brand in the market.
* **HanTing Premium Hotel** - HanTing Premium is a new brand in the HanTing family under HUAZHU Group. The innovation in space planning and technological quality has instilled Nordic beauty to the hotel. With a simple, modern, quiet and comfortable atmosphere and an entry-level midscale brand position, HanTing Premium is committed to bringing thoughtfulness to each traveler on the road, and to continuously work hard to achieve a better life.“Premium” is a beautiful plus that: Plus a touch of literary and artistic atmosphere – private space with Nordic design beauty, a lobby filled with coffee fragrance, travelers straying into the gallery with a suitcase... ingenious atmosphere cultivates a tranquil and intoxicated mind;Plus thoughtful care – free choice of a variety of comfortable pillows and five-star mattresses giving you sweet dreams; private dressing-table mirrors and coat racks of different heights... ingenious design brings meticulous care;Plus ease to the body and mind – self-check-in and printing service makes waiting unnecessary; professional laundry stands by for any appointment; 24-hour baggage deposit makes a spur-of-the-moment trip happen... ingenious services puts the body and soul at ease.

Economy

* **Elan** - Elan Hotel is a multiplex economy hotel brand subordinated to HUAZHU Group. It is rooted in the first, second and third-tier cities in China. Based on the core standards, the hotel brand endeavors to become a benchmark brand of its type with diversified products, enthusiastic service and amazing prices. Unlike the stereotyped economy hotels, Elan is not constrained by monotonous products. It is in pursuit of individuality and diversity while embracing a passionate service concept, making every Elan a different journey for our customers.
* **Orange** - Orange Hotel is a valuable brand for the midscale market positioning itself between fashion and simplicity. The brand comes from Orange County in California, USA. We are convinced that simplicity does not mean simpleness. In addition to satisfying basic accommodation needs, it provides guests with affordable light luxury--room facilities conform to 3 star standards.
* **HanTing Hotel** - HanTing is the first brand under the HUAZHU Group.The Chinese character "Han (汉)" refers to the vast galaxy, and "Ting (庭)" a small courtyard. "Han" also stands for the Chinese Han nationality, and "Ting" a warm home. Once you turn around and find a HanTing Hotel is right there, you will feel at home even in an unfamiliar city.HanTing has won BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Chinese Brands for many consecutive years. It is HanTing’s unwavering goal to become a popular, clean and nice hotel brand boasting convenient location, good reputation, cost-effective products and the pursuit of a clean environment.
* **Hi INN** - Hi Inn is a fair-price economy hotel brand owned by HUAZHU Group. From product design to additional services, Hi Inn removes the unnecessary and is committed to offering customers a hotel with a superior location, affordable prices and clean rooms. Therefore, "Worthy & Clean" as its brand slogan has become a commitment of every Hi Inn to its customers.As our lives become increasingly overwhelmed by complexity, minimalism works as the solution, which conforms to the concept of “light travel” proposed by Hi Inn based on rational consumption. At present, Hi Inns are found everywhere at the core of the first and second tier cities in the Chinese mainland. Through “lightweight” products and more affordable prices, we offer customers the best option for “light travel”.

Jiazhen Huo and Zhisheng Hong, authors of *Service Science in China*, wrote that the Hanting brand is promoted to be "similar to youth' [*sic*] hostels so as to meet the customer demands lower than its former market positioning."

## See also

**DEUTSCHE HOSPITALITY**

****Huazhu Hotels Group****

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