Langham Hospitality Group launches upper midscale brand Ying’nflo in Wanchai
Langham Hospitality Group celebrates its 20th anniversary by launching Ying’nFlo, an upper midscale hospitality brand, with its sociable lifestyle approach accented with emerging music and art, geared at capturing the bold optimistic spirit of Millennials and GenZers across the globe.
The first Ying’nFlo concept launches in the colorful district of Wanchai, Hong Kong with plans to expand rapidly in the region. The pipeline already includes a hotel in Xiamen, as part of Langham Hospitality Group’s first multi-brand project.
Smart guest experience
“Ying’nFlo is a bold, colorful canvas for the younger urban travelers at an affordable price,” says Brett Butcher, chief executive officer, Langham Hospitality Group. “It’s a smart guest experience for a generation that has grown up with digital. The concept combines simple stylish design with brilliant basics which are efficiently executed with a strong social vibe.”
Ying’nFlo will be located in destinations where the target guests want to travel. “These locations would be the front door to cultural, entertainment, and tech hub districts,” adds Brett. “There is a strong opportunity to grow Ying’nFlo in Asia-Pacific and beyond where 50 percent of the population are Millennials or GenZers.”
The brand is designed as a place that feels like a friend’s apartment, only better. The architects and interior designers at Linehouse were engaged for their philosophy of celebrating daily moments through design and transforming mundane spaces into performative acts. They created Ying’nFlo spaces for inquisitive, urban travelers looking for a practical, well-designed place to stay, for whom standard hotel offerings are not the answer. The House of Ying’nFlo also offers a shared space that connects everyone. Guests simply stay, work, and play their way. They can grab a healthy bite, have informal meetings, or enjoy a quiet moment after a busy day.
As a place to bring travelers together, Ying’nFlo is a playground for emerging artists and musicians, curating stories that resonate with their generation.
Arthouse, playhouse
Each Ying’nFlo will feature a rich tapestry of art in all its forms. It will play host to urban art experiences such as the creation of a bold colorful outdoor mural in Hong Kong by Berlin-based artist Josephine Rais, which blends into the fabric of Ying’nFlo, inviting guests to stay and play in its multi-functional spaces.
Music also lives at the heart of the project. Curated music lists will play on the property and on the social channels, showcasing emerging artists.
With a generation that has grown up using digital technology, guests will benefit from the powerful all-in-one Ying’nFlo app, allowing them to connect with every aspect of their stay from the palm of their hand.
The smartphone app grants guests the ability to check in and check out as well as use their phone as a digital keycard.
The app lets users access the controls to their room as they prefer. This includes the television and air-conditioning level and the lighting. It includes messaging, which connects guests to available in-house services, make requests, and get in touch with staff before arrival. Guests can also charge their vending machine or cafe purchases to their room using the app.
‘These hyperconnected digital natives are seeking a level of personalization, authenticity, and digital touchpoints from a hospitality brand they can call their own.’
The powerful system offers guests the ability to access available services and local points of interest.
On property, the guest can also save time on check-in using the on-site kiosk.
Sleep, chill, or work
At the heart of Ying’nFlo will be brilliant basics. These naturally include a powerful shower, comfy bed, fast and reliable wi-fi, as well as a laundry station, smart home features, great coffee and breakfast.
Recognizing that no two guests would work and play the same way, guestrooms and common spaces not only look Instagrammably good, but also offer multi-functional uses.
Guests can simply sleep, chill, or work in their rooms, which feature furniture adaptable to their needs. Lobby and communal spaces feature vending machines dispensing a variety of essentials and refreshments. Some properties will offer bike share services and retro table games in the House of Ying’nFlo.
“In an ever-changing digital era, the Millennials and GenZers are hyperconnected digital natives, who are seeking a level of personalization, authenticity, and digital touchpoints from a hospitality brand they can call their own,” says Brett. “Ying’nFlo offers this with a level of comfort and relaxation, which gives this new generation of globally-minded adventure seekers room to explore their creativity.”
Langham Hospitality Group is in discussion to secure multiple sites for development in the very near future.