Beijing Emerges as Chic Hospitality Trendsetter (China)
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Beijing Emerges as Chic Hospitality Trendsetter (China)
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Category: Asia Pacific - China - Industry economy
- Trends / Expert's advice
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2008-07-28
As the world gasps at Beijing’s stunning Olympics architecture, the Chinese capital is also surprisingly emerging as a chic hospitality trendsetter on the international stage.
This chic 99 room luxury hotel is the flagship of Swire Hotels a new brand of contemporary hotels, each uniquely designed by world renowned architects and designers.
Another exciting new addition to China’s burgeoning capital is glitzy designer boutique
hotel Hotel G Beijing, inspired by 1960s retro chic and attracting a new generation of design-conscious, sophisticated young professionals, entrepreneurs, celebrities and socialites.
It is the first of an exclusive boutique hotel brand being rolled out across Asia by Hong Kong-based real estate private equity management firm Gateway Capital, renowned for the recent US$24 million restoration of the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles.
Highlights include a novel rooftop restaurant Gilt with a Tibetan-style tent and open fireplace, designed by Morocco-based French Algerian designer Imaad Rahmouni, a protégé of style icon Philippe Starck.
Bar-restaurant 25 Degrees is meanwhile named after the original at the Roosevelt on Hollywood Boulevard, and fine-dining Japanese restaurant Morio meanwhile features the innovative, nouveau style of renowned chef Morio Sakayori.
Opening soon in the vibrant ‘bohemian-chic’ Sanlitun entertainment district, it is the first hotel in the world designed by esteemed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.
Guests are greeted by a striking emerald glass exterior, revealing minimalist interiors flooded with natural light, and bedrooms with deep oak soaking tubs.
What makes it such a ‘hot’ destination though is the underground restaurant and bar complex conceived by celebrity chef and restaurateur David Laris.
The Opposite House opens in mid August.
Also in the popular Sanlitun bar area, 1949 – The Hidden City is another multi-restaurant and bar destination taking the party circuit by storm.
Nestled amongst skyscrapers amid mature trees and landscaped gardens, it is a 6,000 square metre neo-industrial ‘walled city’ of cutting-edge indoor and outdoor restaurants.
They include signature restaurant Duck De Chine and a Mediterranean taverna with DJs, as well as outdoor beer garden, event spaces and a contemporary art gallery.
The exclusive private members' Club49 is “devoted to food, fine wine and art” with only 100 memberships granted to Beijing’s elite. The complex even houses China’s first Bollinger Champagne Bar.
The former factory and research facility is the first project in Beijing by one of Asia’s leading hospitality groups, Hong Kong-headquartered Elite Concepts.
China’s ancient ‘zen bathing’ culture is being revived in ultra luxury style at GREEN T. HOUSE Living (www.green-t-house.com).
The lifestyle destination combining teahouse, fine dining, art and cultural events in Chaoyang District now incorporates a ‘Bath House’ with a giant onsen-style rooftop jacuzzi accommodating up to 25.
It also accommodates ‘high-end slumber parties’ in loft bedrooms, and a ‘Tea Reflection Room’ for traditional tea ceremonies and meditation, contemporary art space and library.
The private villa is in 15,000 square metre grounds of GREEN T. HOUSE Living, which was last year named as one of the world’s hottest new venues by Conde Nast Traveler.
The venue’s founder, the world-renowned musician, artist, tea-master and trend-setter JinR, has a vision to “present an authentic Chinese experience, but in a way that you’ve never imagined.”
Shanghai
If you are also visiting Shanghai make sure you check out these gems in the cosmopolitan metropolis.
JIA Shanghai is one of the city’s first true design-led boutique residence concept and is already winning awards across the world, having been voted on the “Hot List” 2008 by Condé Nast Traveller in the UK and Condé Nast Traveler in the US, the Travel + Leisure “It List” 2008, JIA Shanghai is making a distinct impression among the fashionable and style-conscious.
Shanghai’s most awe-inspiring urban renewal project to date is 1933, a former abbatoir, art deco power plant, and related factory buildings. These striking examples of early 20th century industrial architecture in historic Hongkou district will be transformed, into a creative hub focused on a cosmopolitan collection of cutting-edge design and creative offices, creative retail, restaurants, bars and clubs, artists’ guilds, galleries, learning spaces and educational institutions within a myriad of unique and stunning architectural.
The IVY Shanghai is a boutique hotel, with 46 rooms, including 10 suites, aimed at discerning travellers to the city. Friendly service, including 24-hour floor butlers, and a range of first class facilities for contemporary living are the hallmark of the hotel. Located in Jing’an, close to Shanghai’s business district, the chic style of The IVY offers an interesting and comfortable address in the city.
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