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The best China
April 2008
Joseph Baron, International Trade Today
All eyes will be on China this year for the Beijing Olympics, where an estimated 500,000 overseas visitors are expected. To accommodate them all, some grand hotels have been built, which after the Games will be bases for business travellers. So, in the future, you might find yourself staying at one of the following: RAFFLES BEIJING
What makes it special: the official hotel of the Olympic Committee for the Olympic Games. Also: 2007 ‘Hot List’ Conde Nast Traveller (2007).
With a name that cannot help but conjure up the playful fun and elegance of the 1920s, the Raffles Beijing Hotel has much to live up to – and, with that in mind, it has just been restored by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International in an impressive bid to regain its former glory.
Its location is ideal both for business and leisure, at the heart of the business and commercial district on the crossroads of Chang An avenue and the Wangfujing district, yet only a stone’s throw away from the mystical Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Silk Market. Oh, and it is 15 minutes from Beijing railway station and less than five minutes from Wangfujing underground station.
The hotel’s 171 rooms and suites are decorated in a mix of Oriental and French chic, and the presidential suite boasts an impressive 884 square metres of sheer luxury. The five Grand Hotel suites follow suit (pardon the pun) at 154 square metres – a respectful size even for a two-bedroom apartment.
Raffles Beijing impresses, too, with its culinary offerings. In a contemporary setting of restaurant, which offers a blend of Chinese and – intriguingly – Italian food that is prepared at ‘interactive display stations’ fanning out from a central show kitchen.
La Vie is the place for afternoon tea and cake by the fireplace, and the Writers’ Bar is the destination for those who prefer oysters, caviar, cognac and cigars. For some serious schmoozing and fine French cuisine there’s Jaan Restaurant, which is situated in an impressive interior of graceful arches above the original 1926 ballroom dance floor.
Other facilities:
- On-call room valet service
- Broadband and wireless internet
- Fax and DVD on request
- Dataport for fax/modem
- LCD television
- Personalised wake-up call with refreshments
- Indoor swimming pool
- Airport limousine service
Expect to pay:
Presidential suite (includes three bedrooms), one night: around 50,000 CNY (£3,491) Executive room, one night: around 1,688 CNY (£118)
THE REGENT BEIJING
What makes it special: ranked 11th for the top 75 hotels in Asia by Conde Nast Traveler US readers, and 56th on Best of the Best top 100 hotels in the world, 2007 Best New Hotel awarded by Travel+Leisure Magazine (China).
Owned by property development company Fu Wah International Group and managed by Carlson Hotels Worldwide, the 500-bedroom Regent Beijing hotel opened in last April. Located in the fashionable Jinbao Street in the Wangfujing area, it is within walking distance of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
The Regent has rooms that have been designed by leading international hospitality interior designers Hirsch Bedner Associates. The company specialises in keeping its arty fingers on the pulse of world traveller decoration trends – and it shows at the Regent, which has a blend of contemporary luxury and historic China charm.
The hotel features four richly decked-out restaurants. First is the red sandalwood-decorated Li Jing Xuan for Cantonese food (red sandalwood is a dark timber so rare that it is considered as precious as gold); next is the Bar and Grill, lined in Macassar Ebony wood panelling; Italian restaurant Daccapo, on the other hand, strives for contemporary flair with cheerful colours and glass walls; and Café 99 is decked out in creamy colours and Chinese wood lattice panels, as well as handcrafted furniture made of bamboo, lemon, coconut wood.
Other facilities:
- Pool
- Fitness suite
- Complimentary high speed internet access
- Large plasma screens
- DVD players
- Computer and fax connections
- Dual line telephones with voicemail
- Complimentary shoeshine service
- Stylish glass-topped executive writing desk movable to a 90 degree angle
- Traditional Chinese chest for in-room directory, pads and pens
- Complimentary morning newspaper
Expect to pay:
Deluxe room, one night: around 1,955 CNY (including taxes and fees), £136.
LANGHAM YANGTZE BOUTIQUE, SHANGHAI
What makes it special: the first of the group’s new art-deco boutique hotel line under the Langham brand.
The Langham Yangtze Boutique is currently undergoing a multi-million pound renovation and is expected to re-open mid-year, offering 101 rooms and suites, including Chuan Residences connected to the hotel’s Chuan Spa, which offers treatments based on traditional Chinese medical philosophies.
The hotel building was originally designed in art deco and neo-classic architecture by renowned architect Li Pan in the 1930s, and was at one time the third largest hotel in the Far East. The location is excellent, too – at the heart of Shanghai’s central business district and a stone’s throw from The People’s Square.
The hotel will feature five restaurants and bars, each with distinctive characteristics. The Izakaya Restaurant will be in Japanese style; the T’ang Court will offer Cantonese cuisine; classic northern Italian food will be available in the Ciao restaurant; and Palm Court will provide English afternoon tea in an art deco setting.
Room rates: unavailable at time of going to press.
Business travellers should also keep an eye on the following properties coming up in Shanghai:
SHANGRI-LA, PUXI, SHANGHAI
What makes it special: two hotels due for opening 2011, to be linked by the largest deluxe hotel ballroom in west Shanghai, with direct access to underground subway tunnels.
These two hotels are to be on a new business, retail, entertainment, dining and conference complex in the Jing An Kerry Centre, which is expected to become a city landmark.
The luxury Jing An Shangri-La will house 347 rooms with an average of 62 metres – the lower floors of the 58-floor building will comprise restaurants, offices and shops. As well as the expected lobby lounge, all-day café, Chinese and Japanese restaurants, the hotel will offer Chi, the Shangri-La’s signature spa brand, healthclub and pool.
The Chi spa at Shangri-La has gained quite a reputation for its introduction of the Himalayan Tsangpo Ritual of bathing and cleansing, which uses 1500 year-old healing traditions. The 90-minute treatment involves a cleansing Himalayan salt scrub on a warmed stone plinth, using detoxifying salts gathered from the Tethys Sea (once the largest high altitude sea) by genuine nomads.
This is followed by the application of rejuvenating Himalayan red mountain mud mixed with rare mineral extracts, followed by a soak in the Blue Moon Spring Bath – a stone bath infused with lapis blue light. The experience ends with a head and shoulder massage.
Joined to the Shangri-La will be the Jing An Kerry Centre Hotel (modelled on its Beijing namesake), featuring 600 rooms in 43 floors, expected to open end of 2011. Kerry Centre Hotel guests housed on the exclusive Horizon Club floor will have access to their own club lounge and bar, as well as complimentary breakfast and cocktails. Additional facilities include a 3,100 metre health club and swimming pool, and a roof garden for events.
Both hotels will overlook a 3,000 sqm central courtyard with pathways, gardens, water features and al fresco dining. In the courtyard guests will also see a piece of history – the restored home that belonged to Chairman Mao in the 1920s.
A key attraction for both hotels is a 2,400 sqm deluxe grand ballroom, and a ‘junior’ ballroom of 1,000sqm.
Room rates: unavailable at time of going to press.
