Hilton opens first Curio Collection hotel in Jiangsu

Hilton announced the opening of Xi Zhe Wuxi, Curio Collection by Hilton in Wuxi, China, on 3 September 2026, establishing the brand’s first hotel in Jiangsu Province. The property sits within Wuxi Center 66 and combines a historic residence with a newly constructed building.

Hang Lung Properties developed the hotel, which Hilton manages. With 105 guest rooms and suites, dining venues, meeting facilities and wellness amenities, the opening extends Curio Collection’s geographical reach in China as Hilton continues to expand its lifestyle hotel business.

Historic residence forms part of the hotel

The original residence was built in 1933 by Wuxi entrepreneur Zhang Xiaocheng and his sister Zhang Chuquan, whom Hilton describes as one of the city’s early Western-trained obstetricians and gynaecologists. It now accommodates part of the hotel alongside the new building, with interiors drawing on Jiangnan residential architecture.

According to Hilton, the reception desk references traditional medical cabinets, while a spiral staircase recalls staircases in the original residence. Rooms incorporate terrazzo flooring, lattice patterns and Art Deco-style carpets, with selected accommodation offering private courtyards.

The property is in Wuxi’s cultural heritage district, near the former homes of Qian Zhongshu, Xue Fucheng and Hua Yanjun, also known as Abing. Nearby destinations include Chong’an Temple, Nanchan Temple, Qingming Bridge Historical and Cultural District and Huishan Ancient Town.

General manager Winnie Zhu said the hotel combines the character of a Republic-era residence with contemporary travel experiences. She highlighted its location among historic homes as a basis for guests to explore the city’s Jiangnan heritage.

Dining, wellness and meeting facilities

The food and beverage offer includes SANWEI Bistro, which pairs Wuxi dishes with contemporary cooking techniques, alongside purple clay tea rituals and local folk music performances. Now and Then – French Bistro & Bar occupies space within Zhang Xiaocheng’s former residence, retaining its brick-and-wood setting.

Facilities include four swimming pools covering indoor, outdoor, hydrotherapy and children’s uses, plus a dedicated pool bar. The hotel also offers sound bowl therapy, guided breathing sessions, a 24-hour fitness centre, multifunctional meeting spaces and pet-friendly service.

Cultural programming forms another part of the operating offer. Hilton said the lobby’s Artist Center would host regular events, drawing on Wuxi’s tradition of literary gatherings.

Curio Collection extends its China footprint

Curio Collection entered Asia Pacific with a property in Sanya, China, in 2017. It has since expanded to cities including Xiamen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Qingdao and Luoyang, and Hilton describes it as one of its fastest-growing lifestyle brands in China.

Hilton’s other lifestyle brands with operating hotels in China include Canopy Hotels, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Motto by Hilton. The company said demand for personalised stays and closer connections to destinations was helping drive growth in the country’s lifestyle hotel segment.

Alexander Shockley, Hilton’s senior director for Lifestyle & Collection Brands in Asia Pacific, said the portfolio was designed to meet those preferences through differentiated stays and local cultural experiences. He said Hilton would continue clarifying the positioning of its lifestyle brands as it expands across China.