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As travel behaviors and consumer expectations continue to evolve, Shun Tak has taken the lead in proposing and implementing its “Tourism+” strategy, deeply integrating travel with culture, art, wellness, retail, and other diversified sectors to reshape the value chain of destination experiences. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Shun Tak Holdings Limited, Artyzen Hospitality Group is an important carrier of this strategy and is exploring its own development path through its unique cultural DNA and innovative vision. Artyzen Hospitality Group has consistently regarded Shanghai as one of its core strategic markets. Grounded in “Emotional Wisdom,” the group integrates deeply into local communities, weaving together art, sports, and lifestyle while bringing its philosophy of “Connect, Care, Celebrate” into every community it serves. What new strategic developments does Artyzen Hospitality Group have in Shanghai this year? How will the group leverage its roots in Chinese culture, combined with an Asian perspective and international aesthetics, to create a more meaningful sense of belonging for guests? Let us hear the insights and sharing from Mr. Rogier Verhoeven, Executive Director at Shun Tak Holdings Limited and President of the Group Hospitality Division.

In 2025, with Shun Tak’s “Tourism+” strategy, Artyzen Hospitality Group has achieved a series of tangible results. Rogier shared: “From an operational perspective, we have further clarified the positioning of our Shanghai hotel brands, including Artyzen, Artyzen Habitat, The Shàng by Artyzen, and YaTi by Artyzen, ensuring guests enjoy more precise and tailored experiences in different scenarios while enabling synergies among the hotels. Internationally, as China’s tourism market continues to recover with favorable visa-free policies, we have strengthened cooperation with OTAs and tourism industry partners, achieving clear results such as a significant increase in guests from South Korea. In sports tourism, we are honored to serve for the second consecutive year as the official hotel partner of the Buick LPGA Shanghai. We welcomed players and fans from around the world. We also participated in hosting the milestone 40th Xinmin Evening News Cup Football Tournament and supported multiple football and rugby events, attracting hundreds of young athletes to Shanghai. Recently, benefiting from the popularity of Formula 1, our two Artyzen Habitat hotels in Hongqiao and Taopu also hosted many race participants and spectators. In the past, we also accommodated more than one hundred athletes participating in the National Competitive Diving Selection Competition led by Head Coach Zhou Jihong, including many world champions and Olympic champions. These events have strengthened the market’s trust in us, and our team continues to transform that trust into service value.”

Artyzen Hospitality Group has always embraced “Emotional Wisdom” as its philosophy of hospitality, a strategy that shifts from a lifestyle brand to a human ecosystem. This extends our focus beyond aesthetics and design to a more meaningful dimension: the relationships between people, and between people and places. Rather than applying standardized templates, each hotel is  encouraged to deeply integrate into its city and community. The philosophy of “Connect, Care, Celebrate” lies at the heart of everything Artyzen does under the concept of “Emotional Wisdom.” The name “Artyzen” itself reflects the group’s vision, combining “Art” and “Zen” to create a relaxed, open, and natural social environment for urban residents and communities. But how can such an intangible concept be communicated from the inside out so that guests genuinely feel it, rather than merely hearing a slogan? Rogier offered his perspective.

“First, space creates the most intuitive experience. When Neri&Hu designed Artyzen NEW BUND 31 Shanghai, they proposed creating an ‘intersection between individual and collective domains.’ Architecture should not feel cold or detached. The spatial layout should balance movement and stillness, offering guests places to pause, meet, and naturally transition from quiet corners to shared spaces. In this way, space becomes a medium for building connections. Second, realizing the “Connect, Care, Celebrate” philosophy requires intentional emotional actions. ‘Care’ begins with hotel leadership leading by example and team members sincerely paying attention to guests’ genuine needs. We encourage our teams to respond naturally and confidently, using warmth and personal attention to create the right guest experience. ‘Connect’ is achieved through meaningful content and experiences that link guests with the hotel. For example, through our ‘Artyzen Studio’ series, we invited Wang Jianzhong, a representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage for Shanghai-style paper-cutting, to host a workshop at the hotel. Guests did not simply stand by and watch. They sat beside him, picked up scissors, and immersed themselves in a traditional craft passed down across generations. Such sincere interactions, woven around meaningful shared experiences, embody the very essence of emotional connection. ‘Celebrate’ reflects the connection between guests and society through the hotel platform. This may involve partnering with the Shanghai Make-A-Wish Charity Foundation to help fulfill a child’s dream, or celebrating a city’s unique cultural vitality by showcasing local ingredients in restaurants and displaying works by local artists in hotel lobbies. It is also reflected in how our team members are recognized and valued, and how that warmth is passed on to guests. Only through the combination of these three approaches can ‘Emotional Wisdom’ be sincerely expressed,” Rogier shared.

This philosophy is reflected across all hotels under Artyzen Hospitality Group. For example, at Artyzen Habitat hotels, the public area named “Townsquare” includes the “Amphitheatre,” thoughtfully conceived and designed to serve as venue for wellness, communication, and social interaction. At Artyzen NEW BUND 31 Shanghai, the hotel’s direct connection to the BOCOM New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center brings numerous conveniences. This has changed guest behavior from simply attending performances and leaving, to staying and immersing themselves in the experience, while also positioning the hotel as a co-creator of an emerging urban destination. Within YaTi by Artyzen, the group’s select-service brand, this philosophy takes another form. Vibrant, open lobby spaces showcase compelling artworks that effortlessly invite guests to linger and connect. “Whether through internationally inspired content or intentionally designed social spaces, our goal is always to create a sense of belonging. In Shanghai, our hotels are consciously embedded into the broader cultural, entertainment, and commercial ecosystem. This reflects Artyzen’s truly distinctive brand essence: it is not only about where you stay, but how you connect with the city and with others,” Rogier added. In addition, the “Artyzen Studio” series further strengthens these cultural connections. In collaboration with Grace Vineyard, China’s first boutique winery, the group partnered with its Ceilidh Distillery to launch a “Angie Gin” tasting experience, reinterpreting Oriental botanicals through contemporary craftsmanship and transforming local culture and artisanal heritage into a lifestyle experience that can be both appreciated and shared.

This connection extends beyond artistic settings and is intentionally positioned within dynamic educational and innovation communities. Artyzen Habitat Qiantan Shanghai and The Shàng by Artyzen Qiantan Shanghai are both adjacent to NYU Shanghai, while Artyzen Habitat Hengqin Zhuhai is only minutes away from the University of Macau. Such locations naturally bring together social life, academic atmosphere, innovation landscapes, and hotel experiences, transforming hotels from simple accommodation spaces into truly vibrant urban connection hubs. As a result, the average length of stay has increased by 15%.

“Rooted in China, based in Asia, and connected to the world” summarizes the development philosophy of Artyzen Hospitality Group. By embracing the unique positioning of each city, Artyzen creates distinctive memory markers for every destination. “Artyzen Singapore is located on the former site of the Peranakan ‘Villa Marie.’ Rather than erasing this history, we made it part of the hotel’s spirit. Through layered greenery and refined, understated design, we created an urban oasis that combines nostalgia with tranquility. This authentic and unpretentious expression earned the hotel a One MICHELIN Key distinction, making it one of only seven hotels in Singapore to receive the honor. Meanwhile, Café Quenino pays tribute to the city’s multicultural roots through its ‘New Straits Cuisine,’ reinterpreting local flavors with refined sophistication. As our team says, ‘Artyzen Singapore is not just a hotel, but a cultural space.’ Likewise, in Macau, this philosophy is reflected in respect for cultural heritage and responsibility for the future. As Macau’s first LEED Gold certified hotel, Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau represents our strong commitment to sustainable building practices. Through curated art and authentic dining experiences, the hotel pays tribute to Portuguese heritage and local culture while caring for the world that future generations will inherit. Across all these hotels, our goal is to maintain a genuine, vibrant, and lasting relationship between each property and its environment. This is what we mean by a human ecosystem,” shared Rogier.

It is clear that Artyzen Hospitality Group is committed not only to providing high-quality accommodation experiences, but also to integrating art, culture, and other city-related elements into its brand DNA. Through spatial design, community engagement, and cultural experiences, the group creates an urban lifestyle with depth and aesthetic awareness. We are highly confident in Artyzen’s future development in Shanghai and across China. As Rogier noted: “We do not want to expand simply for the sake of expansion. For us, growth means whether we can truly create additional value for every destination. Artyzen Xi’an, scheduled to open in 2028, is a good example. Located at the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, the hotel will honor the city’s profound historical heritage while responding to its spirit of innovation. Whether through design language or a focus on wellness lifestyles, everything will be grounded in a deep understanding of each destination’s cultural heritage and distinct local character. At the same time, every hotel must continue evolving to avoid homogenization. Whether it genuinely adds value to a city’s cultural landscape is something we constantly explore. In Shanghai, Artyzen Hospitality Group also strives to further strengthen its role as a bridge, connecting Shanghai with other Chinese cities, and China with the world. With Shanghai as our strategic hub, we are developing it into a key starting point for multi-destination journeys linking the Greater Bay Area, Beijing, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Guilin and other destinations currently under evaluation. Shanghai has always been our home and our starting point, and this goes hand in hand with Shun Tak’s overall investment strategy.”

Meanwhile, “Sports+” tourism still holds tremendous potential for further development, closely aligned with Shun Tak’s broader “Tourism+” vision. Through partnerships with events such as the Buick LPGA Shanghai and services for athletes participating in football, rugby, and diving competitions, including the National Diving Selection Competition in 2024, where we welcomed over 100 athletes let by head coach Zhou Jihong, Artyzen has developed a deeper understanding of the needs of elite sports communities. “Our goal is to make Artyzen a trusted home whenever Shanghai hosts world-class sporting events, allowing athletes to feel well cared for, perform at their best, and further enhance the city’s attractiveness as a top-tier sports destination,” Rogier said. In recent years, Shun Tak secured the development and operating rights for the adventure-themed area at Ocean Park Hong Kong, scheduled to completion in 2028. In collaboration with AJ Hackett International group, following their partnership on the world’s highest commercial bungee jump at Skypark Macau Tower in 2006, the group will once again work together to create a world-class outdoor adventure destination featuring ziplines, bungee jumping, and other attractions integrated into Ocean Park’s spectacular coastal landscape. This project fully demonstrates the power of “Tourism+”: connecting hospitality and leisure experiences to create new reasons for travelers to visit and return.

Rogier continued: “Internally, I hope Artyzen will be a place where employees want to join and stay to grow together. We value and support every employee, enabling them to work authentically, because it is their dedication that shapes Artyzen’s future. Therefore, we continue collaborating with leading hospitality management schools to provide internship and mentorship opportunities. For example, the ‘Macao Youth Professional Development Program’ at Artyzen Habitat Hengqin Zhuhai not only responds to the Macau SAR Government’s initiative to support youth career planning and integration into the Greater Bay Area but also reflects our practical commitment to youth development and cross-regional collaboration.”

Just as the name “Artyzen” suggests, art inspires resonance while Zen brings peace of mind. In today’s fast-paced urban life, Artyzen Hospitality Group’s dedication to safeguarding the relationships between people, and between people and places may well be the most precious form of hospitality it offers to this era.

Grand Hotels Magazine 2026 June Issue

Artyzen Hospitality Group has always believed true hospitality transcends physical hotel spaces; it lives within meaningful moments, profound emotional resonance and human connections.

Last winter, AHG launched our inaugural “Artyzen Sweet Wishes” charity program in collaboration with the Shanghai Make-A-Wish Charity Foundation across our properties in Beijing, Shanghai, Macau, Zhuhai, Suzhou, and Singapore.  Behind every crafted seasonal dessert was a whisper of hope. As the collective kindness of our guests flowed together like a river, we received the most heartwarming reward: our group officially adopted a wish for a very brave child.

In the early summer in Beijing, Artyzen Habitat Dongzhimen Beijing welcomed a truly special guest. An 11-year-old boy, bound to a wheelchair by progressive muscular dystrophy, had spent his days travelling through the rivers of history. In those moments when he could not run freely, he used videos to “visit” every brick, tile, and grand hall of the Forbidden City.

To protect this pure passion, our group partnered with the Shanghai Make-A-Wish Charity Foundation to wholeheartedly curate a “Journey Through Time” for him.

During their tour, rain poured from the eaves of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The boy listened intently as the guide unfolded 600 years of history. When they reached the Imperial Garden, they stopped before the statue of Xiezhi (the mythical guardian) in front of the Imperial Garden. Legend says that touching it washes away all worries. Resting in his wheelchair, he could not reach it—yet he insisted on standing up, supported by his parents, to touch the ancient sculpture with his own hands.

At that exact moment, we realised he was touching far more than an ancient legend; he was embracing a courageous hope for the future. A brief three-hour tour could never unlock all the mysteries of a 600-year-old palace. Yet, on that rainy day, a young boy’s eyes lit up with a brighter vision for tomorrow.

From “One sweet treat at a time” to “Share sweetness and hope”, AHG remains deeply committed to our core philosophy of ‘Artyzen 3C’ framework—Connect, Care, and Celebrate. We extend our deepest gratitude to every guest who shared their love. It is your generosity that gave this sweetness the power to change a life.

True hospitality extends far beyond providing a place to rest—it is about creating environments where our guests can truly thrive. To honour this vision, Artyzen Hospitality Group hosted the curated wellness experiences across our luxury lifestyle Artyzen Hotels and Resorts at Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau, Artyzen NEW BUND 31 Shanghai, and Artyzen Singapore last month.

Designed as a sanctuary from the daily hustle, these group-wide「Artyzen Studio」wellness events welcomed guests to step onto the mat and slow down. Through a curation of gentle, intentional movement and guided mindfulness, each Artyzen Hotels and Resorts property transformed into a unified oasis of collective calm and restorative peace.

At the core, our Asian-rooted philosophy of ‘Emotional Wisdom’ is expressed seamlessly through the curated pillars of our ‘Artyzen 3C’ framework—Connect, Care, and Celebrate. These designed events served as an intentional oasis where guests could nourish, realign, and reconnect body, mind, and soul.

Enriching Well-being and Connection Through the Mindful Wellness Journey

For the global traveller, the modern journey is built on exploration, a seamless tapestry of unforgettable moments and deep cultural immersion. Our AHG philosophy honours this by creating masterfully curated experiences to enrich personal health and foster meaningful connection.  Led by premier local practitioners, the exclusive sessions were designed to harmonise energy, enhance physical well-being, and introduce elegant, practical mindfulness techniques that elevate a sophisticated lifestyle long after checkout.

The collective stillness and creative synergy felt throughout the spaces at Artyzen Hotels and Resorts highlighted the profound impact of design-forward wellness. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us across our properties to create such memorable experiences.

Artyzen Hospitality Group (AHG) launched “Artyzen Rewards”, its inaugural member loyalty programme. The launch marks a significant step forward in Artyzen’s evolution from a lifestyle hotel operator to a culturally enriched travel ecosystem. Drawing on the strength of parent company Shun Tak Group’s highly integrated business portfolio, “Artyzen Rewards” connects hotel stays with transportation and cultural tourism experiences. By bringing together Artyzen properties across key Asia-Pacific destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Zhuhai, Chongqing, Macao, and Singapore, the programme offers a new generation of travellers a more immersive journey shaped by cultural depth and genuine emotional connection, guided by the philosophy of Emotional Wisdom.

Responding to a New Generation of Travellers
Today’s travellers want more than a comfortable room. Across the cultural tourism landscape, guests are looking for stays that feel personal, socially connected, and aligned with their values. In response, “Artyzen Rewards”, built on the WeChat Mini-Program, delivers meaningful value through convenience, flexibility, and personalised privileges. The ambition is to build a culturally enriched travel community that recognises every stay, interaction, and preference, and turns them into thoughtful benefits and curated local discoveries at every destination.

AHG has always been guided by its Asian-rooted philosophy of Emotional Wisdom. “Artyzen Rewards” brings this philosophy to life through AHG’s Artyzen 3C framework — Connect, Care, Celebrate.

• Connect: The “Artyzen Rewards” Mini-Program gives members a single place to register, book, earn points, and redeem rewards. Beyond the hotel room, it extends into culture, art, and local community, helping members connect more deeply with every destination throughout their journey.
• Care: Grounded in a clear understanding of what guests value, Artyzen delivers tailored benefits at every tier. From Preferred and Silver to Gold and Platinum, members enjoy benefits ranging from rate discounts and flexible check-out to complimentary room upgrades, dining privileges, fitness access, and leisure perks, designed to help every guest feel genuinely recognised and at home.
• Celebrate: Artyzen invites members to celebrate life’s moments, big and small. To mark the launch, members who register during the inaugural promotional period, through 30 June 2026, will receive 2,000 bonus points, limited-time double points, and access to a hotel-wide redemption package, making every arrival and departure feel like a celebration.

Through the Mini-Program, members can register, book, earn, shop, and redeem in one seamless flow, exchanging points for stays, dining, and curated experiences. The feeling of being known and genuinely valued, now becomes something members can experience consistently across every Artyzen property.

Extending “Tourism+”
The launch of “Artyzen Rewards” also reinforces the alignment between Artyzen and its parent company, Shun Tak Group (the “Group”), under the “Tourism+” strategy. As a homegrown international brand, Artyzen positions its hotels as platforms that connect accommodation with broader eco-cultural tourism experiences. By unlocking cross-category privileges across the Group’s diversified portfolio, including Macau Tower, New Bund 31 Shanghai, Artyzen Club, and TurboJET, “Artyzen Rewards” turns a hotel stay into a more complete cultural lifestyle journey. The Artyzen Studio series further brings this philosophy to life by transforming intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship into hands-on local experiences. In addition, a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® in Shanghai reflects the Group’s Care commitment beyond the guest journey. Through community co-creation activities across the portfolio, Artyzen continues to strengthen a sense of place for visitors and neighbours alike, creating lasting social value for the communities it serves.

Mr. Rogier Verhoeven, Executive Director and President, Group Hospitality Division of Shun Tak Holdings Limited, said: “Artyzen has always been rooted in China, and the communities around our hotels. While others lead with luxury, we lead with people. ‘Artyzen Rewards’ is our way of putting that conviction into practice, using the hotel as a bridge between guests and the cities, cultures, and communities that make each destination worth visiting. Our hope is that every stay becomes more than a rest stop. It becomes a genuine encounter.”

At Artyzen Habitat, we embrace individuality, encourage discovery and exploration and meaningful connections with the community, providing a lifestyle urban retreat for authentic exploration that goes deep into the heart of local culture.

We’re thrilled to announce that Artyzen Habitat has been awarded “Best Value Hotel Brand in China” at the TTG China Travel Awards 2026. From restful sanctuaries to vibrant communal spaces and restaurants made for recharge, Artyzen Habitat blends convenience with the creative energy of every destination we’re in.

This recognition affirms Artyzen Hospitality Group’s commitment to cultural and social sustainability, celebrating individuality and our belief that true hospitality should always feel within reach, and its parent company, Shun Tak Holdings Limited, reaffirms the group’s unique approach to creating immersive, culturally resonant destinations that are rooted in Asian heritage.

At our core, each stay transcends the ordinary, becoming an opportunity to reconnect with the city. In the future, Artyzen Habitat remains the ultimate high-vibe landing pad, inviting guests to the blending of seamless business utility with curated experiences.

We are deeply grateful to our guests, partners, and teams who make this journey so meaningful.

Artyzen Hospitality Group, in collaboration with Ceilidh Distillery, presented a special「Artyzen Studio」experience at Artyzen NEW BUND 31 Shanghai. Media representatives, lifestyle influencers, partners and clients were invited to take part in an immersive journey that explored Eastern botanicals through the lens of contemporary craftsmanship.

As the cultural and creative platform of Artyzen Hospitality Group,「Artyzen Studio」reflects the Artyzen 3Cs of Connect, Care, and Celebrate. It serves as a linkage where people, culture, and community intersect through thoughtfully designed experiences. The collaboration with Ceilidh Distillery and its signature gin brought this philosophy to life by uniting local heritage, artisanal expertise, and emotional resonance.

Founded in 2018 by Ms. Judy Chan of Grace Vineyard in Longyan, Fujian, Ceilidh Distillery is one of the few boutique distilleries in China producing both whisky and gin. Drawing inspiration from native botanicals such as jasmine, osmanthus, white magnolia, and hawthorn, together with oolong tea, Sichuan pepper, and cinnamon, the distillery reinterprets Eastern flavour traditions through contemporary distillation techniques. This commitment to the local provenance resonates closely with Artyzen’s philosophy in cultural sustainability and authentic local storytelling.

The experience unfolded as a carefully curated journey that guided guests from understanding to immersion and ultimately to co-creation. Shanghai Modern, the elegant social destination within Artyzen NEW BUND 31 Shanghai, provided the setting and seamlessly integrated dining, bar, lounge, and a Secret Garden beneath an open dome of greenery.

Master distiller Mr. Jianglang You shared insights into the creative philosophy and distillation process behind the gin, highlighting the importance of balance, restraint, and respect for natural rhythms. Guests were then invited into the Secret Garden, where they could touch, smell, and engage with real botanicals including dried osmanthus, jasmine buds, white magnolia, Sichuan pepper, and rosemary. These elements form the foundation of the gin’s essence and transformed tasting into a tangible sensory experience.

A personalised co-creation session followed, allowing guests to craft their own gin and tonic based on selected botanicals. Each guest could also choose a specially tagged bottle bearing a personal symbol and handwritten message to take home as a keepsake. This moment reflected the idea of leaving space for individual expression and demonstrated Artyzen’s “Emotional Wisdom” approach to hospitality, where meaning is shaped through participation rather than presentation.

The evening continued at the Shanghai Modern Tapas Bar with an intimate dining experience. Eight bespoke cocktails, including Twilight, Osmanthus, and Sunset Clouds, were paired with contemporary small plates inspired by Shanghai flavours and techniques. Highlights included Crab Roe “Xiao Long Bao” with Black Vinegar Granule, Shaoxing Wine & Marinated Foie Gras Parfait, and Osmanthus Flavored Sweet Lotus Root with Sticky Rice. Culinary culture came together in an atmosphere that encouraged genuine conversation and relaxed celebration.

Mr. Sunny Li, Vice President, China of Artyzen Hospitality Group, shared during the event:

“We are honoured to collaborate with Ceilidh Distillery, a local brand that shares our respect for craftsmanship and cultural roots. This experience is not simply a dine and gin tasting. It is a dialogue between tradition and innovation. Through authentic and thoughtfully designed experiences, we aim to connect people with nature, culture, and one another. This is the spirit of「Artyzen Studio」.”

This collaboration represents a continued evolution of Artyzen Hospitality Group’s “Tourism+” vision, where hospitality extends beyond accommodation to become a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and community engagement. Looking ahead,「Artyzen Studio」will continue to collaborate with artisans and creators across disciplines, creating moments of celebration that are personal, meaningful, and rooted in place.

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