Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced plans to open four new hotels in China before the end of 2014.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, the international luxury hotelier, has announced plans to open four new hotels in China before the end of 2014, in another indication of the country's rapidly-growing demand for high-end lifestyles. 

The launches include The St Regis Chengdu, The Azure Qiantang in Hangzhou, The Castle Hotel in Dalian and W Beijing - Chang'an. In a statement, the company revealed that it has doubled its luxury presence in China over the past three years and noted that it intends to open more by the end of 2015. 

"The rapid growth of Starwood’s luxury brands in China reflects a robust demand for high-end hospitality from an increasingly affluent market, where domestic travel continues to thrive," said Paul James, global brand leader for St Regis, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels Worldwide.

Aside from the rising number of affluent individuals, China's inbound travel market also fuels the demand for luxury brands. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization report, China currently ranks third in the world's most popular destinations, following France and the US.

The latest World Wealth Report by Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management also notes that the population of Chinese HNW individuals, or those with at least $1 million in surplus assets, increased by 18 per cent from 2013, or more than the global average of 14.7 per cent.