Xiamen's top city officials today joined forces with Hilton International and property developer Xiamen Vast Art Industries Co Ltd., to officially mark the start of work on the 30-storey, 410-room Hilton Xiamen.

The hotel will be Hilton's eighth property in China when it opens at the end of 2006. Hailed as the cleanest city in China, President for Hilton International Middle East and Asia Pacific, Koos Klein said Hilton Xiamen will be the best hotel in the best location in what is one of the most beautiful and most important port cities in China.

Located on prime land one block from the waterfront, Managing Director of Xiamen Vast Art, Zhu Fu Dong added that opening a luxury business hotel in Xiaman will convey a message of growth to the international business community.

Foreign trade hinges on business people wanting to come here again and again.  Hilton, the world's most well-known hotel brand, will help us promote our city, especially in expanding markets of Korea, Singapore and Japan.  

Hilton Xiamen will feature floor-to-ceiling wrap-around windows which offer spectacular views over the waterfront.  Guests will enter the hotel via a dramatic stairwell shrouded by a three-storey curtain of crystal beads. The first six floors of the Hilton Xiamen will be a podium of public spaces, housing a large recreational facility with a 25 metre swimming pool and a number of banquet outlets including a mezzanine level lobby lounge, an all-day market place restaurant and a contemporary Chinese restaurant with nine private dining rooms.

A ball room located on the fourth floor has a banquet capacity for 600 and offers 180 degree wrap around views of the waterfront.  The fifth floor will be dedicated to Hilton Meetings and includes a round-the clock business centre, nine meeting rooms and a full board room.

Xiamen is located on China's south eastern coast.  Billed as one of China's top tourist-friendly destinations as a result of pro-environmental activities which have been praised by the United Nations, the city has enjoyed a meteoric rise since its selection in 1981 as a Special Economic Zone. International visitation has increased recently with direct flights from Japan, Korea and Singapore.