The five-star Yantai Golden Beach Hotel Indigo, which opened in 2024, is the first of its brand in Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: ytkfqfb]

As of April 2026, four out of Yantai's eight five-star hotels are positioned in the Huang-Bohai New Area, according to a recent list from the Yantai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

These hotels include Sheraton Yantai Golden Beach, Hilton Yantai Golden Coast, Marriott Yantai, and Hotel Indigo Yantai Golden Beach — the first Hotel Indigo in China's Shandong province, which received its five-star certification in April 2026.

The clustering can be attributed to two major advantages: an excellent location and a strong industrial base. The area provides convenient land, sea, and air transportation and has scenic coastal spots like the Golden Beach Resort. It also accommodates the Yantai Bajiao Bay International Convention and Exhibition Center, the city's largest and most well-equipped venue, attracting many business and leisure travelers.

Local authorities have actively supported the concentration of upscale hotel brands with the aim of establishing the Bajiao Bay International High-End Hotel Brand Cluster. The entry of international names such as Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, and Indigo has strengthened both the local hospitality sector and cultural tourism. As development continues, the number of star-rated hotels is expected to rise.