99inn.cc

About 99inn.cc

99 Inn Chain (99旅馆连锁), a brand under the Shanghai Gong Sheng Hotel Management Co., Ltd., has carved out a significant niche in China's hospitality sector by focusing on the super-economy hotel segment. The company was established in May 2007 by founder Zhu Mingming, who identified a substantial market opportunity below the tier of traditional economy hotels like Home Inn and Jinjiang Inn. Zhu's experience as a franchisee for "Jinjiang Inn" starting in 2004, coupled with his observations of hotel markets abroad, revealed an unmet need for even more affordable lodging among students, young professionals, and other price-sensitive travelers in China.

The core of 99 Inn's business model is providing high-value, no-frills accommodation with a national average room rate around 99 RMB. This strategy directly targets a large demographic that prioritizes cleanliness, comfort, and core amenities over expansive room sizes or luxury features. To achieve this price point, the company optimizes space, with rooms typically ranging from 9 to 12 square meters, featuring essential facilities like an independent bathroom, air conditioning, TV, and Wi-Fi. This focus on a high-性价比 (cost-performance ratio) has enabled the brand to position itself as a founder and leader in the "super-economy hotel" category in China.

The company's growth trajectory has been notable, operating on a business model that combines directly-owned and franchised hotels. A significant milestone occurred in August 2012, when 99 Inn Chain secured its first round of financing totaling $75 million from prominent investors including SIG Asia Investment, Goldman Sachs, and Abaci Investment. This capital injection was primarily allocated for rapid network expansion. By June 2017, the chain had expanded to 895 locations with over 50,000 rooms across more than 130 cities in China, serving a member base exceeding 8 million. In response to evolving market demands, the company has also diversified its portfolio by launching sub-brands such as 99 Youxuan Hotel (99优选酒店) and 99 Xinbiao Hotel (99新标酒店), which cater to slightly different segments within the budget-conscious market, including business travelers and younger, style-conscious consumers.