Room to grow in booming second-tier urban centers

Dine well, eat healthy and feel good at the Westin

A gracious look at history

Born in Monte Carlo, a Mediterranean coastal town in the south of France, Rommel says Dalian offered him the chance to live close to the sea again.

The newly appointed general manager of Shangri-La Hotel Dalian elaborates.

"I had the opportunity to travel to Dalian a couple of years ago for three weeks on a business trip and I was very impressed with what I saw - lots of greenery and parks, combined with the sea coast."

There was another attraction that brought Rommel here.

"It has always been my dream to join Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, so when Shangri-La presented me with this position, I took it without hesitation."

Rommel sees a shifting trend for travel in China and he is convinced that the Shangri-La brand is a perfect fit for the changing demands.

"Luxury travel is fast becoming a lifestyle in China. As locals travel more, their tastes and expectations become more discerning. It is not enough to just provide excellent service, but to go the extra mile to ensure the service is personalized to each and every guest.

"Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts do that - our legendary Asian hospitality ensures that our service knows no boundaries, as long as it is within our means, we will strive to ensure our guests' needs are met each and every time."

Rommel is also a strong advocate for Dalian and is convinced that it is the next big thing.

"Dalian is definitely more relaxed compared to cities like Beijing and Shanghai, but it is hot on the heels of becoming a world-class city with the developments the government has in place. He cites the building of the Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone to develop the information technology industry and plans to make Dalian a wireless city. The World Economic Forum also takes place in Dalian every alternate year.

"For domestic travelers, I think the sea coast is a big draw. A lot of locals from inland areas have not had the chance to see the sea before, so during the summer periods, Dalian is busy with domestic travelers, enjoying the cool sea breeze and fresh seafood.

"Many Chinese also have secondary residences in Dalian as the weather during summer is beautiful with clear blue skies, so Dalian is a very sought-after city to live in. We have a lot of locals and expatriates alike staying in the Shangri-La Residences for an extended period and there is also a lot of interest in our new Residences tower, which is currently still being built, with luxury apartments for sale.

"For international visitors, the world-class golf courses, combined with the relatively mild climate is a big plus as well as the city's reputation as the fashion capital of China, which makes Dalian the perfect leisure destination during the warmer months."

Rommel is not new to China.

"China was always on my radar as a destination, and the idea to work and live in this fast-growing and developing country fascinated me."