Superb New Business Club ‘Crownes’ Plaza’s Success

Let s call him Mr. Cosmo Politan, a Mediterranean entrepreneur paying his third trip to Beijing in hope of wrapping up an important deal. Previous visits saw him stay at different hotels, both of which lacked guestroom e-mail access and whose location proved less than convenient. Now his travel agency had recommended he stay at the Crowne Plaza Beijing in Wangfujing Avenue, about as central as any hotel can be.

Far more relevant to the likes of Cosmo is that the hotel  a China jewel of the huge InterContinental Hotels Group and in fact the first Crowne Plaza to open in the country 12 years ago - has recently transformed into an hotel essentially tailored for discerning business travellers. But while the emphasis is now in this domain, the hotel has been careful to preserve its long-standing appeal to tourists and other guests who also require very high standards of comfort and service.

Cosmo and other international and domestic business travelers now have the pick of 122 deluxe high-tech business suites and rooms, triple the hotel s former number, on three exceptionally well-planned executive floors called the Crowne Plaza Club and operated under a marketing concept known as The Place to Meet Good thinking, because these top floors are nothing less than a nourishing collective cocoon for business travelers who crave such an environment after the stressful demands of their days in Beijing. 

Goodies galore abound, technically and otherwise. One nice touch is that guests laptop batteries are recharged while the machine is in the room s electronic safe. Also in the pipeline, pardon the pun, will be a constant supply of fresh water to executive suites and rooms. Likewise bathroom TVs to enable the relaxing business of wallow-and-watch.

Such conveniences reflect the futuristic thinking behind the Crowne Plazas new-look business floors, a beneficiary of which was our jet-lagged friend Cosmo. His first impression of the hotel, a kind of architectural maiden aunt whose skirts are surrounded by upscale stores and boutiques along Beijings Golden Mile shoppers  paradise, was the warm welcome of a greeter who quickly relieved him of his luggage and whisked him to the Crowne Plaza Clubs high-speed check-in on the eighth floor.

Never before had he so quickly and smoothly been conducted to what would be his Beijing base for the ensuing 10 days or so.

Aware of Cosmo s tiredness, a guest-relations officer gave him a quick rundown on what was what and where in the suite, made some coffee for him and left him to get his bearings. As Cosmo was later to tell this reviewer: I was more than impressed by the facilities, bowled over more like, especially so by the written  Hospitality Promise offered by the hotel to all guests. 

This promise is explained by hotel general manager Daniel Arbenz, who states what may seem the obvious, though with a poignant touch: It is our overall goal to provide guests with consistent, efficient and friendly round-the-clock service, and for the Crowne Plaza to be their preferred place to meet, relax and dream ... 

Cosmo liked the dream reference: We all yearn for better aspects to our lives, and it is astute of the hotel boss to acknowledge the fact. Very human of him. For me, just reveling in the excellence of my 45-square-meter suite was something of a dream come true.      

Why his enthusiasm? Everything had obviously been carefully thought out, right from the broadband access and extra-large TV to the fluffy duvet and separate shower and bath. Nothing was stressful, like searching around for light switches or finding that bedside pens didn t work. The suites lighting system was superb and unobtrusive, with full connectivity within easy reach.

Business guests can also take advantage of wireless Internet access at the Crowne Plaza Clubs 8th-floor lounge, where there is also a boardroom if guests such as Cosmo need to organize a meeting.

It goes almost without saying that guests are also pampered with the likes of free buffet breakfasts and evening Happy Hours, free newspapers and local faxes, and a generous range of other no-charge services. The 3pm check-out must rate as among the most convenient in Beijing.

New Horizons for Staff

Of special note is that Crowne Plaza staff have a new enthusiasm about them because they are encouraged, during off-duty hours, to experience the work in other of the hotels departments. This increases their skills, brings them extra cash and gives them a true sense of belonging to a go-ahead hotel. They are also urged to be creative and to submit new ideas, all of which are carefully considered by general manager Daniel Arbenz.

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Crowne Plaza Beijing

48 Wangfujing Dajie

Tel: +86 010 6513-3388

Fax: +86 010 6513-2538, or 6513-2513

Web-site: www.crowneplazabj.com

China Toll Free: 800 830 2628