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.
What does being ‘independently minded’ as a hotel owner mean to you?
Being ‘independently minded’ is about focusing on inner truth. Like each Kaipuu hotel, it offers a unique and independent experience of life, creating individualised guest experiences without limitations.
Every Kaipuu hotel is rooted in local abundance and warmth. We design from the perspective of the guest, not the designer, owner, or management company. Unlike global strategy driven chain hotels, our experiences grow organically from local culture. From architecture and heritage crafts to modern lifestyles and community ecology, we delve into cultural roots where life in ancient buildings, nature’s vitality, rational landscapes, and emotions intertwine.
Space is the spirit’s self-portrait. Kaipuu is my metaphorical dialoguing vessel with the world. Its space doesn’t force individuality but transforms our awe for cultural identity and appreciation for the present into tangible local narratives. It’s a multi-dimensional space blending contemporary elements with traditional rhythms, balancing creative imagination and comfort.
What was the inspiration behind the hotels, and where do you continue to find sources of inspiration?
Kaipuu originates from the Finnish word ‘kaukokaipuu’, which expresses a strong yearning for unexplored lands. Its design inspiration flows from two eternal spirals. When exploring new frontiers, Kaipuu, with an explorer’s heart, uses a contemporary perspective to deconstruct original geographical elements, making each new project a tribute to the unknown. When preserving old buildings, it draws on the prosperous clan culture and local patriotism of Fujian, allowing history to regenerate with a pioneering spirit and creating ever-lasting destinations for travellers.
Carrying weathered local chronicles and unopened philosophy collections in baggage, Kaipuu keeps moving, measuring ancient ruins and future cities. It stays clear-minded and creative by balancing ‘reading’ and ‘being on the way’.
The story of Kaipuu has no single origin. Its site selection, construction, and operation are all shaped by a mix of chance and inevitability. For us, the hotel is both a serendipitous encounter and a practice of idealism.
Kaipuu is not only dedicated to meeting travellers' needs but also respecting and giving back to local culture, nature, and community.
How do you think your hotels stands apart from other boutique hotels?
Kaipuu has an independent spirit and unique character. It focuses on transcendent aesthetics, avant-garde culture, and captivating experiences. This reflects its deep market insight and pursuit of authentic travel experiences. It enriches the boutique hotel culture with sustainable creativity.
Kaipuu’s individuality lies in its site-specific blend of conflicting elements, such as the lively and the elegant. This conflict, rooted in local culture, is seen in Kaipuu on the Reef’s mix of natural rocks and modern design, and Kaipuu Belfry’s combination of a historical building with contemporary cultural events. This creates a unique aesthetic and travel experience that is both locally grounded and elevated.
If you only had 24 hours to get a taste for your hotel experience, what would you recommend a guest must do?
Stay in one of the sea view studios or suites at Kaipuu on the Reef, which are tranquil, solo travel-friendly spaces. Unlike typical seafront hotels presenting the whole seascape, it features a bathtub side sea view through a small window, sparking travellers’ imaginations of the wonderful world outside.
Start your day with a local Minnan breakfast like mianxianhu, then explore community eateries for lunch sampling traditional dishes such as manjiangao, ginger duck, and beef soup. For dinner at the hotel, enjoy dry-aged beef and freshly caught seafood. Sip the Reef cocktail, made with tequila, dahuipao tea, and sea salt, to embody the coastal surroundings and local culture. Tequila represents fishermen’s passion, and dahuipao tea is the fishermen’s life seasoning. While sea salt, of course, comes directly from our waters.
Meanwhile Quanzhou, an ancient UNESCO heritage city, offers culturally rich experiences. While staying at Kaipuu Belfry, visit nearby historical sites like Chengtian Temple. Amidst the city’s hustle and bustle, the sounds from the distant bell tower narrate its long flowing history.
How would you describe your own perfect luxury experience?
Travellers now seek deep cultural immersion, not just surface-level sightseeing. They want to forge unique cultural memories and emotional connections. I define sustainable luxury experiences as those that focus on product longevity and in-depth experiences, including thoughtful interactions with the natural world, deepening your understanding of local culture, and a design that tells a story beyond the visual appeal.
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.
Latest stories
Making tracks: a train journey taking in six European cultural capitals
It’s official – inter-railing is back, as travellers increasingly swap flights for the speed and ease of Europe’s rail network. Think zippy connections, city-centre arrivals, and stress-free border crossings: train travel is one of the fastest, most convenient, and still sustainable ways to explore the continent. Get ready for a
Independent Minds: Sheila Kyarisiima, The Pinnacle Kigali
High above Kigali on Rebero Hill, The Pinnacle offers sweeping views across the city, bringing contemporary luxury together with a strong sense of place. What began as a private family retreat has evolved into a destination that celebrates Rwanda’s culture, creativity and community. Here its founder, Sheila Kyarisiima, shares the
A postcard from: Piedmont with Sina Villa Matilde
Piedmont may be one of Italy’s less-travelled regions, and that is precisely part of its appeal. Sitting at the foot of the Alps, the landscape is a mix of rolling hills, family-run wineries and elegant country estates, with excellent food and wine at its heart – some might even say
Our edit of hotels to book in October
From a colourful restored villa in glamorous Capri to a private island with overwater villas in Indonesia, October brings a new crop of hotels worth knowing about. These are the openings catching our eye this month – some are historic properties given a new chapter, while others bring contemporary flair
