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".
This new brand of hotels marks the company's first move to create a completely new brand separate from the already established name of Day's Inn.
