For the hotel industry, where standalone hotels account for over 80%, the entire sector has gradually undergone structural transformation since 2018. Numerous standalone hotels lacking brand recognition have increasingly partnered with hotel management companies, shedding their uniform "guesthouse" image and moving toward personalized and branded development. Behind this industry reform, one hotel management company dedicated to brand empowerment stands out: Qianyu, which opened nearly a thousand hotels in just one year, achieved natural growth of 100,000 members through strong user stickiness.
![](\"/pic/20200118/091e63542626e54298733708da326956.jpg\")
In an era when demand is quietly evolving, Qianyu, dedicated to branding standalone hotels, emerged at the right time. Established in April 2018, Qianyu enhances the branding and lightly renovates small and medium-sized standalone hotels, creating a series of stylish, vibrant, fun, and distinctive products. By offering diverse experiences that expand the essence of the hotels, it accurately captures the unique needs of young consumers, better connecting with trendy crowds. While gaining popularity among young guests, it has also won favor from numerous franchisees. From April 2018 to the present, Qianyu has successively opened nearly a thousand hotels in a hundred cities across the country, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an, and Wuzhen.
Gan Yizhe, founder and CEO of Qianyu, said: “Industry upgrading is reflected in the improvement of quality and data, and data improvement comes from brand empowerment and scientific management.” In March this year, Qianyu established the Qianyu Academy, a specialized college dedicated to cultivating operational and management talent for the industry. After undergoing solid training, these hotel managers are stationed at various outlets to help improve performance metrics, and only after earning the approval of the hotel owners do they officially graduate.
The branding of standalone hotels is quietly driving the entire industry toward a focus on quality and service. It is understood that in addition to assisting with hardware upgrades, Qianyu also starts from consumer demand, helping hotels evolve beyond just being places to stay and become experimental hubs for youth interest and social interaction. Some Qianyu Select stores even go beyond the traditional “accommodation” function of hotel spaces, integrating elements such as fashion, art, socializing, and smart technology into rooms, delivering a completely new experience. Staying at Qianyu might mean encountering a group of like-minded people hosting a pajama party, an anime carnival, or even a music meet-up.
With a deep understanding of the consumption psychology and needs of young people, Qianyu connects trend-driven crowds through fun, fashionable, and interest-based social experiences. It is now joining hands with innovative small and medium-sized property owners to create an industry phenomenon. With nearly 14 million standalone hotels in China, this marks the beginning of a major industry migration.