By Melissa Lwee: THE next big thing in the hotel industry is something which will be coined ´designer hotels´, or so believes hotelier Ted Fang. And that´s exactly what he plans to do next.
The Singaporean entrepreneur made his mark in the hotel industry when he acquired the master franchise of Day´s Inn hotels in China (including Greater China) in 2003. With 58 hotels already in the chain, the Day´s Inn brand is already the fastest growing three and four star hotel chain in China.
Now, though, he wants to go upscale, so Mr Fang - who runs the company Frontier Group with his brothers Harry and David Tan - is looking to create a new breed of hotels to target a growing breed of independent-minded travellers.
´Our idea of a designer hotel is a cross between a boutique and a luxury hotel,´ says Mr Fang. ´Unlike a typical boutique hotel with about 50 rooms, we´re aiming for at least 100 rooms with designer fittings created by international designers.
´But although it is designer, it won´t be a six-star super luxurious offering. Instead our target market really would be a hip business traveller who doesn´t want to live somewhere too staid and wants something that is comfortable yet fashionable.
´Imagine a W Hotel but less pricey and more functional and you pretty much get the picture.´
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