#HNA: First five-star hotel in Brussels for 25 years launched

The Chinese investment group, HNA, has launched the first five-star hotel to open in Brussels for 25 years, writes Martin Banks.

HNA is a conglomerate that grew and prospered against the backdrop of China’s reform and opening up. The group was founded in 1993 and, in the past two decades, it has grown and prospered against the backdrop of China’s rapid reform.

On 17 April, the group opened its first European property, the high-end Oriental-designed Tangla Hotel Brussels.

Situated on the outskirts of Brussels, it has a shuttle service to the city centre and Brussels Airport and aims to capitalise on the corporate sector in particular.

The hotel was designed by the award-winning agency Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), interior designer for Nuo Beijing, the Ritz Carlton Galaxy Macao, the Marina  Bay Sands, the Encore Wynn Las Vegas and many more.

But it was the vision of Belgian native, David T’Kint, to “bring the ornamented beauty of Chinese culture and folklore to Belgium”.     T’Kint, who previously lived in Shanghai and Singapore, said he was excited by the opportunity to translate his vision of contemporary Chinese culture into a European hotel.

Built up from a local aviation transportation operator to a conglomerate encompassing core divisions of aviation, holdings, capital, tourism and logistics, HNA’s business outreach has expanded from Hainan Island— the “South Sea Pearl” - to the globe, and has assets valued at over RMB 600 billion, spread over 11 listed companies.

In 2015,Group  revenues hit nearly RMB 190 billion and it was employing nearly 180,000 worldwide.     After 20 years, HNA has also emerged as one of the Top 4 in China’s aviation industry, ranking the 99th in China Top 500 Enterprises, and hit the 2015 Fortune 500 for the First Time in July 2015, ranking No.  464 with annual revenues of over USD 25.6 billion.

It also incorporates HNA Hospitality Group, one of the world’s 300 largest hotel companies.It owns and manages over 450 hotels at home and abroad.     A spokesman said the opening of its hotel in Brussels, the first 5 star hotel in Brussels for a quarter of a century and the first the Group has opened in  Europe, HNA  is “committed to building a world-class hotel brand.”

Other hotels may following Paris, Berlin and London but, said the spokesman, it was a "minor coup" for the city to be chosen.

The new hotel, at Woluwe Saint Lambert, has 187 stylish, decorated, luxurious rooms, including 37 suites, free wireless Internet/WLAN and air conditioning. It has secure underground parking with 126 places and 36 private places outside and boasts two inhouse restaurants.

There are also meeting and event spaces including the magnificent 440m² Imperial Ballroom. By early  2017 there will be a sumptuous Spa and Wellness area featuring an indoor swimming pool.

Hotel sales director Nicolas Barsotti said: “Tangla Hotel Brussels is a celebration of Chinese culture, art and traditions, paying homage to the country’s rich and diverse history in a unique yet familiar way.”

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