Jinmao Group officially resumed independent operation of its hotel business in August 2026, taking full management control over its hospitality assets. The former Hyatt Regency Chongming Shanghai Jinmao hotel ended its cooperation with Hyatt Group and was renamed Shanghai Chongming Jinmao Yiyin Hotel, now fully operated by Jinmao.
Jinmao’s Hotel Partnership History and Move to Independence
Jinmao’s entry into the high-end hotel sector began through partnerships with established international brands, starting with the opening of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Jinmao Tower, Shanghai Lujiazui, in 2007. This project helped the group establish a presence in the luxury business hotel market for over 20 years. Over time, Jinmao accumulated
significant operational experience from collaborations with global brands, laying the groundwork for its transition into independent hotel management.
Since 2021, Jinmao initiated a strategic shift to reduce reliance on international hotel brands by developing its own portfolio, aware of the evolving market dynamics and its growing operational capabilities. The recent rebranding of the Chongming Island property marks a tangible step in this transformation.
Jinmao’s Self-Owned Hotel Brand Matrix
Jinmao has established a set of self-owned hotel brands tailored to varied market demands. The Jinmao Yiyin brand targets resort and natural resource-focused properties with offerings oriented toward quiet luxury, parent-child leisure, and health care. This brand
name was adopted for the Chongming hotel and the Taicang Jinmao Yiyin Rose Manor.
Jinmao Joy addresses urban business and complex accommodation needs, focusing on business travelers and conference customers, with launched properties in Ningbo and Jiangyin. The Ningbo Jinmao Joy hotel reportedly maintains an average room rate near 700 yuan and an occupancy rate exceeding 60%.
Jinmao Pure focuses on high-end boutique travel and immersive resort experiences based on unique landscape resources. The Lijiang Jinmao Pure Snow Mountain Hotel is a flagship project providing snow-mountain-focused travel experiences.
Market and Operational Factors Driving the Shift
The decision to operate independently comes amid an oversupply of high-end hotels
in China and a diminishing ‘halo effect’ from international brand affiliations. An anonymous industry source cited by eu.36kr.com observed that “the international brands bring with their own traffic is weakening. In addition, the annual fixed brand management fee is changing from a” value-added service to a rigid cost, pushing Jinmao to reassess its brand strategy.
With over two decades of experience working with international brands, Jinmao has developed strong operational teams capable of managing hotels without reliance on external brand systems. The company aims to better align its hotel brands with asset types and local market needs, focusing on differentiated
products tailored to domestic consumer preferences rather than standardized global models.
Operational Performance and Management Platform
The independently operated Ningbo Jinmao Joy hotel exhibits solid market performance, with occupancy above 60% and an average daily rate around 700 yuan, indicating Jinmao’s capability in managing business-oriented properties effectively.
Alongside brand development, Jinmao has created a hotel commercial management platform responsible for brand standards, operational systems, and membership management. This platform underpins Jinmao’s shift from a property owner relying on international hotel groups to an independent hotel operator designing products and managing operations internally.
