Serviced accommodation owner-operator Ascott has won a contract to manage Citadines Xi'an Xingqing Palace, its third serviced residence in Xi'an, China, from Shaanxi Defang Changan Co Ltd (DFCA), marking the second time the company has worked with the local partner to manage its serviced residences.

Citadines Xi'an Xingqing Palace is in the heart of Xi'an, near Xingqing Palace Park, a popular tourist attraction built on the ruins of a palace dating back to the Tang dynasty. Located just 100 metres from Xi'an Jiaotong University, it is expected to attract visiting academics, exchange students and participants in the 200 academic meetings and forums the university organises annually. It will offer 160 studio apartments, each with a fully-equipped kitchen, an en-suite bathroom and a separate work area. Residents can also enjoy amenities like a swimming pool and a gymnasium. The property is scheduled to open in 2011.

Ascott's two other serviced residences in Xi'an are Citadines Xi'an Central, which is currently operational, and Citadines Xi'an Gaoxin, due to open later this year. With Citadines Xi'an Xingqing Palace, the company's portfolio in China increases to 5,000 units across 26 properties in 12 cities – Beijing, Chongqing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi'an and Hong Kong.

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