12 AT HENGSHAN HOTEL IN SHANGHAI'S MOST ROMANTIC STREET OPENS

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A NEW JEWEL IN THE LUXURY COLLECTION –
TWELVE AT HENGSHAN ARRIVES IN SHANGHAI’S
MOST ROMANTIC NEIGHBORHOOD

An exclusive oasis of urban chic in the heart of China’s most cosmopolitan city

Shanghai, China, September 27, 2012 – The much-anticipated Twelve at Hengshan, A Luxury Collection Hotel, will be unveiled on Shanghai’s tree-lined Hengshan Road in November, 2012. The 171-room hotel is the fourth property in China for Starwood’s premium Luxury Collection brand of truly unique hotels.

A perfect retreat for those who seek the seclusion and beauty of a residential-style hotel with its own private garden – Twelve at Hengshan promises an exclusive oasis of urban chic in the heart of China’s most cosmopolitan city.

Twelve at Hengshan is the only five-star luxury hotel within Shanghai’s most romantic and history-filled Hengshan Road neighborhood of chic avenues lined with plane trees imported from France in the early 1900s. The hotel’s striking contemporary architecture provides a thrilling contrast with the atmospheric lanes, art deco villas, and charming restaurants, boutiques and galleries in the surrounding area. 

Architecture and Design

Twelve at Hengshan collaborated with some of the world’s leading architects and designers on this iconic property, which draws inspiration from the area’s rich history and traditional Chinese hospitality, updated with romantic flourishes and contemporary amenities.

Italian architect Mario Botta, whose iconic structures include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, created the contemporary courtyard building. The distinctive interiors are by New York-based cult hospitality design duo Yabu Pushelberg, who also designed St Regis, San Francisco and W Hotel, Times Square New York.

Carefully incorporated within the low-rise heritage district, the hotel comprises a five-storey rectangular building surrounding an elliptical internal garden. The façade is dressed in more than 20,000 natural terracotta tiles baked and imported from Italy, a popular trimming on many of the historic buildings in the area. At the heart of the hotel, a traditional Chinese ‘Secret Garden’ for hotel guests enhances Twelve at Hengshan’s unique character and soothing Zen ambience including imported trees and flowing streams.

The interiors of Twelve at Hengshan mix cultures and timelines in an “East meets West, Past meets Present” style. A soft, natural color palette is offset by bespoke Chinese and contemporary furnishings. Hand-painted Oriental screens, silk lanterns and latticework add a distinctive Oriental flourish.  

Exquisite Guestrooms

Stylish design and thoughtful touches create an atmosphere of distinguished opulence in the 171 guestrooms and suites, including a 338 sqm Presidential Suite. All of the rooms feature large windows overlooking the peaceful Secret Garden or vibrant cityscape, while over half have spacious private balconies looking inwards across the Garden courtyard.

Garden motifs carry into the guestrooms giving them a fresh and comforting feel. Large marble bathrooms feature deep-soaking tubs and Hermes bath products in the suites. All rooms are equipped with high-tech amenities, including 46 or 52-inch TVs, 15-inch TVs in the bathrooms, iPod docks and complimentary Wi-Fi access.

Dining and Lounging

Two signature restaurants and a Lobby Lounge offer authentic dining experiences and unrivalled service. All-day brasserie Tops & Terrace serves Mediterranean cuisines complemented by Asian classics on its refined a la carte menu and extravagant nightly buffet with signature dishes served a la minute. The restaurant features three open kitchens, including a French rotisserie and Italian pizza oven, plus a glass wine cellar.

As its name suggests, a highlight of Tops & Terrace is the fifth-floor Roof Terrace adjacent to the dining room with a barbecue and gazebo for alfresco dining, as well as sipping Champagne, fine wines and cocktails from the Movable Bar. Weekends are a time for gourmet celebration with a European BBQ on Saturdays (seasonal opening) and a “Seafood and Bubbles” Brunch every Sunday.

Chinese restaurant, 12 Hengshan, serves a fresh take on Shanghainese cuisine with essences of Cantonese cooking, highlighting organic ingredients in elegant surrounds. Porcelain chandeliers, rose glass screens and picture windows looking out to a Suzhou-styled garden scene create a memorable dining experience. There are also eight Private Dining suites seating between 4 and 16 people.

The Lobby Lounge is an inviting meeting and relaxation space serving fresh-brewed teas, juices and wines, accompanied by creative local and western bites. Also in the lobby, a Deli offers on-the-go snacks and beverages, plus gourmet gifts and over 20 varieties of cheesecake.

Wellness, Meetings and Shopping

Wellbeing facilities are a highlight of Twelve at Hengshan, including the largest Spa out of all Starwood properties in Shanghai, heated indoor pool and fitness centre. The 712 sqm Spa is the largest featuring 14 double treatment rooms and one VIP treatment room with facilities including a Mud Bath Room, Scrub Table and Ice Fountain, plus Signature treatments including the ‘Dancing Fingers’ massage.

The 290 sqm Fitness Center is open 24 hours with floor to ceiling windows looking across the Swimming pool. The large indoor pool is in a magnificent cave-like setting with three Jacuzzis and is lit by roof panels filtering natural light from the lush Secret Garden above.

An ideal venue for hosting premier meetings, events and weddings, Twelve at Hengshan offers 1,303 sqm of meeting space comprising a 425 sqm Grand Ballroom, Pre-function Area, two VIP Banquet Rooms and six Meeting Rooms, all equipped with high-tech facilities.

Located around the Secret Garden perimeter, a Retail Promenade provides access to famous brand boutiques.

Cultural Tours in the Area

Twelve at Hengshan is within easy reach of unique dining, entertainment and shopping areas such as Tian Zi Fang, Yongfu Road and Sinan Mansions, plus many cultural sites. The hotel is directly connected to the Line 1 Subway allowing easy travel around the city.

As part of the Luxury Collection service, Twelve at Henghan offers guests exclusive tours to visit the hidden gems of Shanghai’s most romantic neighborhood. Guests can discover delightful cafes, former residences of celebrities and aristocrats, custom tailors and shoemakers, and many more insider secrets.

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About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts

The Luxury Collection® is an ensemble of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each hotel’s distinctive heritage and unique character. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,112 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis^®, The Luxury Collection^®, W^®, Westin^®, Le Méridien^®, Sheraton^®, Four Points^® by Sheraton, Aloft^®, and Element^SM. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com. 

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(Clockwise from top left): Inside a Premier Room Bathroom; a Courtyard Room; the spiral staircase running through the lobby (artist’s impression); and the front of Twelve at Hengshan (artist’s impression)