Exterior of Atwell Suites Shanghai Wuning. Credit: © InterContinental Hotels Group.

Atwell, the new lifestyle brand of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has debuted in Greater China, with the launch of its inaugural hotel in Shanghai.

Situated in Putuo District, Atwell Suites Shanghai Wuning offers 174 guest rooms.

The Atwell brand is designed to cater to the preferences of younger consumers, offering a residential atmosphere with smart home technology and social spaces.

Each room features a multi-functional smart home system, allowing guests to control temperature, lighting, and appliances with both voice activation features and one-touch service.

IHG Greater China CEO Daniel Aylmer said: “IHG Hotels & Resorts continues to respond to evolving consumer expectations and industry trends. Travel is shifting from simple ‘destination check-ins’ to truly ‘living destinations’. Younger travellers are seeking deeper connections with the cities they visit, looking for experiences that are authentic, comfortable, and full of personality.

“Atwell was created to respond directly to these needs. With this brand, we aim to deliver travel spaces that combine lifestyle aesthetics with a sense of belonging, while further strengthening IHG’s diverse brand portfolio and reaffirming our long-term confidence and commitment to Greater China.”

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The Atwell Suites Shanghai Wuning hotel’s design emphasises a lifestyle-oriented experience, with details such as high bar seating in selected rooms and Social Hub, an area that includes laundry facilities, seating spaces, fitness equipment, and game consoles.

This launch of the property underscores IHG’s focus on the selected service lifestyle segment.

Atwell brand offers a “high-premium, low-cost” model for owners and partners, and is supported by IHG’s brand management systems, operational processes, and a global distribution platform.

The brand’s debut in Greater China signifies the company’s strategic expansion into the lifestyle travel space and the diversification of its brand portfolio.

Looking forward, Atwell plans to utilise IHG’s global brand influence and local market insights. It aims to expand its footprint across key cities in Greater China, aiming to introduce “new territorial homes” to the market.

In June 2022, IHG introduced its Atwell Suites brand in Denver, US.