Hilton Reaches 700 Hotels in Greater China Solidifying Fastest Growing Position

SHANGHAI, China – Leading global hospitality company Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the grand opening of Conrad Chongqing, establishing its 700th hotel in Greater China. This significant milestone underscores Hilton’s continued growth in the region and marks the luxury brand’s debut in the mountain city, further expanding Hilton’s presence in West China.

China remains a pivotal market for Hilton’s strategic growth. With a presence in more than 240 destinations across the country, Hilton's 10 distinct brands continue to elevate the travel experience for Chinese guests. In the first half of 2024, the company’s expansion introduced Hilton brands to 25 new locations across Greater China, including Changshu, Guilin and Rizhao.

“It is a testament to the speed and scale of Hilton’s growth in China that we mark our 700^th property less than a year after we opened our 600^th property here. With one in three hotel rooms under construction here bearing a Hilton flag, we continue to lead the industry as the fastest growing international hotel company in China and are better positioned than ever to extend our signature hospitality to even more destinations in the country,” said Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton.

“Since our first hotel in mainland China opened in Shanghai in 1988, we have grown together with China’s tourism and hospitality industry for more than three decades. We have added more than 100 new hotels to our portfolio every year, for five consecutive years. With our diverse portfolio of brands, we look forward to further enriching the travel experience for our guests with the light and warmth of our hospitality,” said Qian Jin, president, Greater China and Mongolia, Hilton.

Accelerating Brand-Led Growth Across Diverse Segments

Hilton’s full-service portfolio, led by its flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, has made significant inroads in the Yangtze River Delta region. Recent openings include Hilton Changshu and Hilton Shanghai City Center, with three additional Hilton Hotels & Resorts and DoubleTree by Hilton properties in Shanghai set to open in the fourth quarter of this year. In May, DoubleTree by Hilton Yantai Golden Coast began welcoming guests along the iconic Bohai Sea coast, extending the brand’s signature warm hospitality.

Hilton has achieved notable growth in the focused service segment. Earlier this year, Hilton Garden Inn celebrated its 10th anniversary in Greater China, with 80 hotels currently trading and a further 180 in its development pipeline. The brand recently introduced its new regional prototype, "Hilton Garden Inn • Gen A," designed specifically for Chinese guests to deliver its signature bright-hearted hospitality. Hampton by Hilton has also expanded rapidly, now operating over 390 hotels, while Home2 Suites by Hilton celebrated its fourth anniversary in China this June, with a portfolio of approximately 60 operational hotels.

Staying attuned to the evolving preferences for distinctive lifestyles and hotel experiences among Chinese guests, Hilton is actively expanding its lifestyle hotel brand network in China. In the first half of 2024, the company signed agreements for Canopy by Hilton Shanghai Belfry Plaza and Canopy by Hilton Shanghai International Resort, both designed to position Shanghai as a premier destination for cultural tourism.

Hilton's luxury portfolio in China currently includes approximately 20 operational hotels under the Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brands. With plans to double its luxury presence over the next decade, Hilton is expanding in popular destinations such as Mount Qingcheng, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Chengdu. Through the company’s exclusive strategic partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), Hilton Honors members can now also book stays at participating SLH hotels across China.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts Debuts in Chongqing, Expands Hilton's Reach in West China

Conrad Chongqing, inspired by the city's mountainous terrain, introduces an 'Oriental Floating City' concept that blends local nature and culture with contemporary design. Located in the Nan'an District, the hotel offers 275 guest rooms, three restaurants, and a lobby bar. Each room is thoughtfully designed with unique scenic views.

The hotel’s high-altitude restaurant takes guests on a culinary journey with mountain and cloud views. The MIST lobby bar, located on the 52nd floor, offers a prime vantage point to admire Chongqing’s skyline as it transitions from day to night. Additionally, the hotel features over 2,000 square meters of versatile meeting and event space, providing an inspiring setting for conferences and gatherings.

“Chongqing’s distinctive allure and cultural depth, combined with its role as a key hub in Western China, make it an ideal location for this new Conrad property. We believe Conrad Chongqing will elevate the city’s cultural and tourism landscape and help invigorate Chongqing as a leading global destination,” said Qian Jin.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts, inspired by Hilton’s founder, Conrad Hilton, seamlessly blends bold design with curated contemporary art, setting a new standard for luxury within Hilton’s brand portfolio. With nearly 50 properties spanning five continents, Conrad Hotels & Resorts can be found in renowned destinations such as New York, London, Singapore, and the Maldives. Fifteen Conrad hotels are operating in Greater China with 15 more in the pipeline, covering major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, as well as popular travel destinations like Hangzhou, Xiamen, and Jiuzhaigou.

By the end of 2024, Hilton is set to operate more than 15 hotels in Chongqing, spanning all brand categories—luxury, lifestyle, full-service, and focused service. Guests can experience a diverse range of Hilton brands, including Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, and Home2 Suites by Hilton. Notably, Curio Collection by Hilton, one of Hilton's lifestyle brands, is anticipated to make its debut in Chongqing by the year’s end.

Workplace Champion Hilton Fuels Continued Success in China

Honored as “The Legend” by Great Place to Work® for ranking among the “Best Workplaces in Greater China” for nine consecutive years, Hilton remains committed to fostering an industry-leading culture of inclusion, wellness, growth and purpose for its over 35,000 team members across Greater China.

Hilton has significantly invested in the development of local talent, resulting in over 93% of its hotel general managers in China being Chinese as of March 2024. Demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity, over 28% of Hilton’s Greater China general managers are women and over 2% of its team members are individuals with disabilities.

Pioneering the adoption of the “GIG” model, Hilton is the first international hotel group in China to offer flexible employment across over 90 cities, resulting in over 200,000 shifts completed. This approach enhanced operational efficiencies, fostered stronger connections with local communities, and provided flexible job opportunities in an evolving work landscape.