Hotels branching out to engage customers

Rosewood Beijing launched a takeout service on May 8, which is available on the hotel's official WeChat platform. Free delivery is offered for orders over 500 yuan ($75) within 5 km of the hotel.

Bistrot B, a French restaurant in the hotel, rolled out "520 Love Day" special takeout packages to "invite lovers to enjoy sweet moments at home" on May 20-21, which are unofficial Valentine's Days celebrated in China.

The flagship delicatessen of Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center, Kempi Deli recently tried out the community group buying model, where residents within a neighborhood band together to purchase daily goods in bulk. More than 160 residents participated in the bakery's first group buying order, generating 25,000 yuan in revenue, according to the hotel.

A group buying coordinator from the community acts as the liaison between the residents and the hotel. After details are confirmed, residents place orders on a dedicated WeChat platform run by the hotel, which then delivers the orders to the community.