American Hotelier Plans China Hospitality Expansion

California-based nascent hotel development company SBE confirmed it is planning to expand its SLS Hotels brand first to Shanghai, Beijing, Wuxi, and Kunming.

SBE's partner in its Chinese expansion is Palace Hospitality, and the companies plan the expansion by 2015.

SLS Hotels in China will feature an aesthetic composed by acclaimed hotelier and SBE Founder, Chairman and CEO Sam Nazarian and the SLS Hotels design team tailored for the Chinese market. With a cutting-edge aesthetic, world-class entertainment, and award-winning restaurant and nightlife concepts, SLS Hotels will showcase a hospitality offering that is truly unique to China.

"China is home to one of the fastest-growing tourism markets worldwide, and Shanghai, Beijing, Wuxi and Kunming attract a global community of business and leisure travelers whose sensibilities align very well with the SLS Hotels experience," said Sam Nazarian, SBE's CEO. "After growing the brand successfully across the U.S., we're honored to share the SLS Hotels approach to hospitality with China, which is rooted in a commitment to uncompromising service, innovative design and captivating food and beverage offerings."

Based in Los Angeles, California, SBE opened its first SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills in 2008. Building upon the success of the Beverly Hills location, SBE expanded the brand to Miami with the SLS South Beach in 2012, and will open additional SLS Hotels locations in New York, Las Vegas, Seattle, Philadelphia and a second Miami location within the next three years.