WOW, W HOTEL HAS JUST OPENED IN SHANGHAI! WONDERFUL, WIZARD AND WINNING FORMULA FOR THE HIP AND HAPPENING TRAVELLER!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

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

     

 POOL, VERY DE OBVIOUS

      TYPICAL W ROOM IS NOT YOUR USUAL HOTEL ROOM! LOVE IT! 

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.