Opening marks debut of Andaz brand in Asia
CHICAGO
- Hyatt Hotels Corporation (
H
) announced today the opening of Andaz Shanghai, introducing its
vibrant lifestyle brand Andaz to Asia. The newly constructed
28-story
hotel
is located in Xintiandi, a landmark entertainment area in the
heart of downtown Shanghai and a short walk to the Metro and Huai
Hai Zong Road, one of the city's main shopping areas.
The Xintiandi neighborhood, on the edge of the former French
Concession, retains the antique walls, tiles and façades of the
traditional shikumen (stone-gate) houses of old Shanghai, while
the interiors showcase prestigious modern brands, fashion
boutiques, stylish restaurants and bars, creating a landmark
destination that combines the historical and cultural identities
of the city.
Inspired by the dynamic and distinctive surroundings, Andaz
Shanghai is devoted to providing highly personalized,
uncomplicated service in an atmosphere that fully embraces the
best of Shanghai and allows guests to experience it
authentically.
Guestrooms, Facilities and Architecture
Andaz Shanghai features 307 spacious guestrooms, including 47
premier rooms and suites, ranging in size from 850 to 2,000
square feet (80 to 193 square meters), all enjoying vibrant views
over Xintiandi or the city. In an effort to make a stay as
uncomplicated as possible, all non-alcoholic mini bar drinks and
all-day light snacks in the Andaz Lounge are complimentary, as
are local telephone calls and wireless Internet access.
Mood lighting has been used to impressive effect: LED lighting on
the ceiling allows guests to choose the color and mood of their
room, while, in the bathroom, where the walls resemble a roughly
hewn rock face, the transparent sink and translucent bath can
also be programmed to glow in different colors.
"Andaz Shanghai sets a new standard for modern, high-rise
buildings in historic urban districts in its innovative design,
diverse program mix, and connection to surrounding context.
Synthesizing old and new, the
hotel
responds sensitively with a warm-gray stone cladding and low-rise
podiums that engage the historic neighborhood at street level,
while at the same
time, the project's powerful architectural form and high-end
amenities embody the dynamism of modern-day cosmopolitan
Shanghai," said Joshua Chaiken, design principal, Kohn Pedersen
Fox Associates, the architecture design firm for the
hotel
. "Andaz Shanghai conveys a fashionable sensibility that extends
and further develops the character of the historic Xintiandi."
Restaurants and Bars
Restaurants and bars at Andaz Shanghai showcase the vibrant local
neighborhood and adhere to the "market-to-table" philosophy of
offering fresh, seasonal, local produce. The accompanying wine
lists offer the best of boutique vintners and include
international selections.
The Andaz Lounge is the heartbeat of the
hotel
, a casual, all-day space where guests and visitors can
congregate for a convivial drink or snack. The signature drink in
the Andaz Lounge is the Kir Royale, made with original crème de
cassis liqueur from France.
Adjacent to Andaz Lounge is Éclair, a patisserie which, as the
name suggests, specializes in the classic French pastry, as well
as freshly baked breads, cakes, homemade ice cream and refreshing
drinks.
The main dining and wining outlet in the
hotel
is Hai Pai (a local phrase meaning "modern Shanghainese spirit"),
which is a four-level hub positioned to become Shanghai's premier
dining and entertaining destination housing two restaurants, a
bar and private dining rooms, which cast a beckoning, welcoming
light across the surrounding streets.
With terrace views overlooking Xintiandi, the restaurant aspires
to be a friendly, neighborhood eatery offering unpretentious
Shanghainese and French comfort food. Four private dining rooms
with seating for six to 16 people, are available for guests who
prefer privacy, and in these rooms, tailor-made menus can be
offered for special occasions.
Events
Three floors of sophisticated event space provide unique venues
for meetings, social occasions, fashion shows and weddings.
Three Meeting Andaz Studios measuring from 538 sq ft (50 sq m) to
1,119 sq ft (104 sq m) are ideal for intimate meetings or events,
while the 5,845 sq ft (543 sq m) Ballroom can hold cocktail
receptions for 460 people or cater to 300 guests for banquets.
At the end of the year, the residential-style Andaz Garden Studio
will open, featuring four event rooms and a spectacular Glass
Pavilion surrounded by water - an ideal "wedding chapel" or
red-carpet event space - and two organically shaped outdoor
terraces. From the Glass Pavilion, a glass elevator will descend
directly into the Ballroom, creating a dramatic entrance for a
VIP or wedding couple.
Recreation
Andaz Shanghai offers more than 23,000 square feet (2,200 square
meters) of relaxation facilities, featuring a translucent indoor
pool, which glows with internal LED lighting and a 24-hour gym
with the latest cardio workout equipment to help drive away
stress and enable guests to stay fit while traveling.
Opening at a later stage, Optime Spa, like its legendary city,
will draw on both old and new, paying homage to proven
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methods while adopting the
best of modern holistic and wellness practices to offer
cutting-edge, anti-aging and results-oriented treatments.
Art
The artwork at Andaz Shanghai - all by artists with a strong
connection to the city - was selected around the theme of
"Collective New Media Art," referencing the
hotel
's unique location, and exploring themes of past and present, new
and old, deconstruction and reconstruction. The artwork aims to
challenge the conventions of art in a
hotel
space and break down boundaries for visual experiences, allowing
guests not only to observe, but also to interact with pieces. The
diverse mixed media used, from LED lighting to sensors and from
video projections to recycled materials, combine to create an
eclectic and refreshingly unconventional collection.
"We look forward to introducing the Andaz brand to Asia and
welcoming guests to experience our personal, flexible, authentic
hospitality first hand," said Wilson Lee, general manager of the
hotel
. "Andaz Shanghai is for people who want to truly discover the
city while enjoying all the comforts of a leading international
hotel
brand. We want our guests to experience Shanghai and our
hotel
the way they want to, while we are doing everything we can to
cater to their andaz."
Andaz Hotels
Global in scale while local in perspective, Andaz delivers an
innovative hospitality experience and attentive, uncomplicated
service designed to accommodate guests' personal preferences.
Hotels in this unique collection reflect the spirit of their
locale and are dedicated to creating natural and vibrant living
spaces where travelers can indulge in their own personal sense of
comfort and style.
Hyatt's Andaz brand has earned a devout following among global
travelers since its introduction in 2007, and has developed a
reputation for delivering opportunities for guests and neighbors
to engage in creative inspiration, most recently with the launch
of the Andaz Salon. A regular series of events and discussions to
be held at every Andaz
hotel
under the guidance of a unique event host, the Andaz Salon gives
guests an experience of seeing the local scene through the eyes
of leading cultural arbiters.
Andaz
hotels
kicked off the Andaz Salon series by focusing on the following
themes: culinary and cocktails, performance and fine arts, and
fashion. Each salon will reflect a hotel's local culture and
creative landscape. In addition to on-property cultural events,
the Andaz Salon can be experienced on the road on the Andaz
Facebook page, which is designed to connect and inspire
creativity digitally. In the future, salons will also focus on
music, the written word and other themes.
With locations in London, New York, San Diego, West Hollywood,
and now Shanghai, the brand is gaining a foothold in the key
gateway cities where its guests travel. Additionally, Andaz
hotels
are under development in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Papagayo, Costa
Rica; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; Delhi, India; Sanya Sunny
Bay, China; and Maui, Hawaii.
For more information and reservations, visit www.andaz.com.
About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading
global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests
feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family
strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they
encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The
Company's subsidiaries manage,
franchise
, own and develop
hotels
and resorts under the Hyatt, Park Hyatt, Andaz, Grand Hyatt,
Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites brand
names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Summerfield
Suites is being rebranded as Hyatt House. Hyatt Residential
Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops,
operates, markets or licenses Hyatt Residencesand Hyatt Vacation
Club, which is changing its name to Hyatt Residence Club. As of
June 30, 2011, the Company's worldwide portfolio consisted of 456
properties in 44 countries. For more information, please visit
www.hyatt.com.
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