Appointments

Li Xiaohui is appointed director of sales and marketing of the Ritz-Carlton, Beijing.

Christophe Lajus is appointed general manager of InterContinental Shanghai Expo and area general manager at IHG.

Cuisine

New Zealand allure

The Westin Bund Center Shanghai is introducing a New Zealand themed Sunday brunch on Nov 10 in partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. The kiwi food extravaganza with produce imported from New Zealand includes juicy meats, mussels, fresh dairy and award-winning New Zealand wines. Live performance from the New Zealand Music Festival performances will entertain diners. 021-6103-5048.

Sizzling hot dishes

As winter closes in, Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace is offering sizzling hot dishes. Guests can choose from an extensive selection of Cantonese cuisines, Yunnan style or barbeque buffet in the hotel's three restaurants. 010-6452-1708.

Christmas indulgence

InterContinental Beijing Financial Street invites guests to embark on an amazing Christmas journey on Dec 24. In addition to various seafood buffet, free flow high quality imported Champagne, wine, beer and soft drinks guests also have a chance to win a holiday to Rome. 010-5852-5729.

Hairy crab

Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai presents two hairy crab menus until Nov 30 at Suntime Century Chinese restaurant. All crabs are freshly caught from Yangcheng Lake and selected carefully by the chef. 021-3867-8888.

What's new

Special honor

Swisstouches Hotels and Resorts recently won the Swiss Business Award - "2013 Startup of the Year" - from the Swiss China Chamber of Commerce.

A brand new start

V-Continent Beijing Parkview Wuzhou Hotel, formally the Crowne Plaza Beijing, embarked on a new journey on Nov 5, with Beijing North Star V-Continent Hotel Management taking over the running of the hotel, marking the company's entry into hotel management.

Gastronomic extravaganza

Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich is organizing a celebration of culinary art showcasing 18 renowned chefs to lead a four-day event from Dec 4 to 7. This gastronomic extravaganza will feature morning and afternoon master cooking classes to raise funds for the Global Flying Hospital. 020-3819-0814.

Ride for hope

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will launch Ride for Hope, a charity event. A group of riders will pedal off on Nov 16 at Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen, and reach Shanghai on Dec 7. During the three-week ride, cyclists will pass through 22 cities, and the 11 Shangri-La properties such as Fuzhou, Guangzhou and Shanghai. Those who want to join the ride can register at any of the 11 Shangri-La hotels with a fee of 200 yuan ($33) per adult or 100 yuan per child. All profits go to fund impoverished Yao ethnic group villagers in the Guangxi autonomous region, the Shenzhen Blue Ocean Conservation Association and the Will Foundation. 021-2828-6302.

Pink yoga

Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai presented the first "pink yoga" charity event in the hotel's Grand Ballroom on Oct in support of the International Breast Cancer Awareness month, attracting more than 140 participants. 021-3858-0888.