Independent Minds: Xiaoran Zhou, Kaipuu Hotels

As the first luxury hotels in China to be certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Kaipuu on the Reef and Kaipuu Belfry are setting the eco-friendly bar in the history-steeped seaport of Quanzhou. The Jin River has welcomed trade and travellers from all four corners of the globe, including the celebrated Venetian explorer, Marco Polo. Today, owner Xiaoran Zhou balances Quanzhou’s rich heritage with a contemporary outlook on design, sustainability, and cultural immersion across both Considerate Collection properties, working closely with architect Xie Ke to share and spread the aesthetic of simple and natural living.

Kaipuu is not only dedicated to meeting travellers' needs but also respecting and giving back to local culture, nature, and community.

Do you have a vision for the future of the hotels?

Our vision for the Kaipuu’s future is unwavering: to instil a strong sense of national pride within the hospitality sector. Hotels should be more than just places for accommodation; they should serve as bridges connecting local culture with a global perspective, and as vehicles for conveying confidence and charm.

As China’s first luxury boutique hotel brand with Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, each Kaipuu hotel is committed to sustainable management based on GSTC standards. This includes focusing on the climate, marine resources, socio-economic factors, biodiversity risks, and talent sustainability to promote sustainable development in the hotel and tourism industry. We adapt to local conditions, align with people’s hearts, have deep geographical connections, aim to infuse every journey with new knowledge, and emphasise systematic sustainability, making it a key factor in all our business decisions.

Previous

10 destination hotels to plan an unforgettable trip around

Next

The ultimate Budapest city guide

Latest stories

Cowboy Comporta: Portugal’s wild west coast

There’s a moment, riding over Comporta’s windswept dunes on the back of a hot-blooded Lusitano, when everything falls silent — except for the soft rhythm of hooves padding across the sand and the Atlantic’s ebb and flow just beyond. The air smells faintly of pine and sea salt, and all

A pocket guide to Amoreiras: Lisbon’s leafy, lesser-known neighbourhood

In a city as photogenic and storied as Lisbon, it’s easy to get swept up in the tiled façades of Alfama or the café culture of Chiado. But venture just a little west of the city’s hustle, and you’ll find Amoreiras — a neighbourhood defined by leafy calm, and a

How to spend a weekend in Bordeaux

Often described as Paris’ little sister, Bordeaux is a city for people who don’t like cities. It’s noticeably peaceful, much of the city centre is pedestrianised, and it’s picture‑postcard pretty. Not only is the city a destination in its own right, with a flourishing food scene and fantastic shopping, but

Portugal’s secret shoreline: Praia do Canal Nature Retreat unveils an alternative Algarve

Beyond the golden beaches of southern Portugal’s crowd-drawing coast lies a quieter, wilder side of the Algarve. Hidden within the heart of the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, Praia do Canal Nature Retreat offers an altogether wild and wonderful antidote to the region’s glossy resorts and golf enclaves — one that’s