With the signing of management contract for voco Xiamen SM city (AKA. SM Xiamen voco Hotel), SM Group's first hotel project in China, May 28, SM China and InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) forged new partnership to develop the first voco hotel in Fujian province.

Johnson Co, General Manager of SM China, inked the partnership with Luyi Jin, Head of Development, IHG Greater China.

Founded in 2018, voco has encountered its expansion with 64 openings in 25 countries and regions, and 80 hotels in the pipeline. The brand has settled in major cities and tourist destinations encircling Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Chengdu, etc. Each property is characterized by its unique charm, delivers delightful and uplifting experiences, a diverse array of captivating options.

Scheduled to open in the second half of 2025, the around-37,000-square-meter SM Xiamen voco Hotel boasts more than 300 rooms and various amenities, encompassing a full-service restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, versatile event spaces, an indoor heated swimming pool, and a fitness center, offering a cozy stay and a diversified experience for guests.

Rendering of SM Xiamen voco Hotel

Located in the bustling core of Xiamen, the hotel develops into another new access to over 700 brands sited within SM Xiamen (including the operating Phase I, II, III). Next to Metro Line 1, it is also an intersection of two main thoroughfares, which makes the quick access towards tourism and business destinations in Xiamen.

Daniel Aylmer, CEO, IHG Greater China, said, "Rooted in Greater China for 49 years, IHG is dedicated to grow and prosper in Greater China and develop together with tourism industry. With our local operational experience, we witness the exciting growth and potentials of Fujian tourism industry and expect to offer high-quality travel and stay experience for guests with SM Group, and further boost Fujian's culture and tourism development."

"As SM Prime celebrates its 30th listing anniversary as a public company, a new door of opportunity opens as we partner with IHG for the management of voco Xiamen," Diane Dionisio, VP of China projects, SM Prime Holdings Inc., remarked, "With IHG's esteemed global expertise and our profound local insights, we are confident in our ability to achieve unparalleled success."

Rafaela V Chen, Hotel Management Consultant of SM Group and Ray Chuang, VP of CCD, attended the signing ceremony.

SM Group

Founded by Mr. Henry Sy, Sr. in 1958, SM Group is leading in the Philippines' industries of retail, banking and property with over six decades' development and active in areas of China's property, retail and financing. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. is one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia.

IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide 'True Hospitality for Good'. With a family of 19 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,300 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a development pipeline of over 2,000 properties.