W HOTELS
ELECTRIFIES THE SHANGHAI SKYLINE WITH THE DEBUT OF
W SHANGHAI – THE
BUND
Flagship Hotel Marks the Brand’s First in Shanghai and Third in China,
with Ten Hotels Scheduled for China by 2019
W Hotels Worldwide,
part of Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), today unveiled W Shanghai –
The Bund, located in the heart of one of the world’s most energetic
cities. With limitless views overlooking the Huangpu River, W Shanghai
will set the scene on the North Bund. Owned by Sinar Mas Group, the hotel
features a blend of bold design and decadent style which combines to create a
captivating contrast of Shanghai’s past and its avant-garde present.
“Shanghai
is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, and its engaging
nightlife, spirited fashion scene and passion for what’s new/next makes it an
ideal destination for the W brand,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W
Hotels Worldwide.
“Our hotels across the world are incredibly unique-
each reinterpreting its destination through design that is both hyper-local and
yet, clearly W. The electrifying design of W Shanghai – The Bund is no
exception, solidifying its position as a global flagship for W that is sure to
attract both guests and savvy locals alike.”
Designed by the acclaimed G.A
Design, the hotel showcases an exciting combination of historic and modern
influences, such as Hai Pai – the art of combining the old and the new,
East and West. This is evident in both the hotel’s location, perfectly
positioned between the Suzhou Creek and the Huangpu River, as well as the
surrounding locale, where Art Deco buildings sit alongside opulent Chinese
mansions.
W Shanghai – The Bund draws upon colonial glamour and
futuristic motifs, with nearly all guestrooms featuring views of the Huangpu
River due to the uniquely curved frame of the building’s edifice.
“Over
the past few years we have seen incredible growth worldwide across our brands,
with the China market becoming increasingly important for Marriott
International,” said Stephen Ho, Chief Executive Officer, Greater China,
Marriott International. “The opening of the W Shanghai – The Bund
underscores the ambitious expansion of Marriott International’s Luxury Brands
in Greater China.”
An Electric Welcome
Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by neon
light installations throughout the hotel’s Living Room (the W brand’s take on
the staid hotel lobby). For centuries, Shanghai-locals have honored the
Lilong tradition, in which wet laundry is hung on lines to dry at varying
heights down narrow laneways.
When mixed with the neon signs of
businesses on the lane, it results in a site of beautiful chaos for those who
look up while walking underneath. This installation was designed as a
modern reinterpretation of this classic scene.
The Welcome Desk
(reception area) features a kaleidoscopic fixture, mirroring the constant flow
of guests through the area. The ‘Melting Qipao’ pattern, a representation
of Shanghai as a melting pot of cultures, can be seen on the walls of the WC
(restroom).
W Shanghai – The Bund features
374 stylish guestrooms and suites, each appointed with the signature W bed
adorned with a cheeky pillow in the shape of Shanghai’s famous Xiaolongbao
(soup) dumpling and chopsticks. Thirty-five of the rooms are suites,
including the Cloud on the Bund, which includes highlights such as a LED
wall and a hanging bed.
The duplex Extreme WOW Suite (the brand’s
take on the presidential suite) boasts more than 4,000 square feet of living
space, along with a hanging neon installation in the shape of lips blowing out
dragon smoke. In addition to the epic views of the Huangpu River and
iconic Pudong skyline, all rooms also feature switchable privacy glass and
Nespresso Coffee machines.
Rise and Dine
W Shanghai –
The Bund offers five intriguing places to socialize and dine. The
Kitchen Table, with its interactive open kitchen, is inspired by a modern
New York bistro and celebrates the legacy of Shanghai’s flourishing trade.
YEN showcases the next evolution of Cantonese dining where
traditional dishes are reinterpreted. Pre-dinner cocktails at LIQUID
AT YEN, a hidden speakeasy, is the perfect evening prelude to transport
guests to the glamorous golden years of Shanghai’s 1920s cocktail scene
featuring a handcrafted selection of concoctions mastered by the on-site
“Cocktail Professor”.
The playfully elegant WOOBAR transforms from
a daytime lounge into a vibrant evening cocktail bar. And finally, WET (the hotel’s pool)
and WET BAR offer incredible sweeping views of the electric Shanghai skyline.
“We are
infusing so much energy into this city with W Shanghai – The Bund,” said
Christian Humbert, General Manager, W Shanghai – The Bund. “We are
bringing guests closer to the music, design, fashion and Fuel (the brand’s take
on fitness) scenes in Shanghai while providing our signature Whatever/Whenever
service, delivering whatever guests want, whenever they want it, in this
incredible city.”
Amped Up Meetings + Innovative
Spa Treatments
Mixing work
with play, guests will be captivated by nearly 6,000 square meters of meeting
and events space. At more than 2,000 square meters, the Great Room
is the largest hotel event space in Western Shanghai, and boasts 6.2-meter
ceilings in a setting inspired by an opulent expression of the Golden
Age.
The entrance to the Great Room features a series of oversized mirror
collages with a Qipao motif, overlaid by a delicate Art Deco-inspired screen,
reflecting the tension and contrasts between old and new Shanghai. The
660-square-meter Mega Room, in addition to the Studios and Strategy
spaces, all cleverly adapt their industrial charm to perfectly suit each event.
The AWAY Spa
offers massages, body treatments, facials and quick fixes, all set to leave
guests glowing. Guests can also step into the ultra-modern FIT gym that
offers 24/7 access to the newest Technogym equipment, or take part in a yoga or
tai chi class on the hotel’s wooden deck.
For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.whotels.com/shanghai.
About W Hotels Worldwide
Born from the bold attitude
and 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels, part of Marriott
International, Inc., has disrupted and redefined the hospitality scene for
nearly two decades. Trailblazing its way around the globe, with more than 50
hotels, W is defying expectations and breaking the norms of traditional luxury
wherever the iconic W sign lands. With a mission to fuel guests’ lust for life,
W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat.
The
brand’s provocative design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing Living
Rooms create an experience that is often copied but never matched. Innovative,
inspiring and infectious, the brand’s super-charged energy celebrates guests’
endless appetite to discover what’s new/next in each destination, to see more,
feel more, go longer, stay later.
W Hotels Worldwide is proud to
participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred
Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant
elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more
information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
