GHM has entered into a joint venture with Beijing Tourism Group (BTG), in partnership with real estate investor Great Ocean Group (GOG), to launch Ahn Luh, an upscale hotel brand targeting luxury travellers in China.

Conceptualised by BTG chairman Duan Qiang, GOG founder Whitney Duan and Adrian Zecha, who founded Amanresorts and co-founded GHM with Hans R. Jenni, the first Ahn Luh properties are expected to debut within the next two to three years.

The inaugural resort will be Ahn Luh Dujiangyan in Chengdu, while other properties in destinations such as Beijing, the Pearl River Delta and South-west China are also in the pipeline.

BTG chairman, Duan Qiang, said: “Resorts in the new Ahn Luh brand aim to promote and practice what we have termed the ‘China services’ concept. In essence, this concept marries internationally accepted standards of quality with distinct, local features. The result is the fusing of old-world Chinese hospitality with contemporary elegance to create value added products, while contributing to an eco-friendly environment.”

Ahn Luh hotels will typically feature 50 - 100 rooms and villas, ranging in size from 60m² - 120m², in addition to meeting facilities. Each hotel will boast a resident Tai Chi master, as well as a retail outlet offering regional goods and traditional Chinese medicine. Other features include dian xin breakfast, an all-day Chinese-style tapas bar, and a fleet of WiFi-enabled cars.

With Ahn Luh, GHM joins the flurry of international hotel chains to develop Chinese-oriented brands, such as IHG’s Hualuxe (TTG Asia e-Daily, March 22, 2012), Accor’s Mei Jue (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 29, 2012) and Movenpick’s Rui Xiang (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 2, 2012).