Park Hyatt brand debuts in Shanghai and Beijing in July 2008
CHICAGO (February 14, 2008) � With more hotels than ever in key cities
like Shanghai and Beijing, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts rings in the Chinese
�Year of the Rat� with a collection of properties ready to host guests
for the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympic Games. In Shanghai, Hyatt on the Bund
and Grand Hyatt Shanghai will be joined by the new Park Hyatt Shanghai
opening in July. In Beijing, host city for the Olympics, Grand Hyatt Beijing
will welcome the July arrival of the Park Hyatt Beijing. The much-anticipated
openings mark the Park Hyatt brand�s arrival in China. Also in 2008, Grand
Hyatt Guangzhou opens in April. And by 2010, Hyatt will have added nine
additional properties in Greater China to significantly expand its regional
portfolio.
�As China continues to open its doors to the international community
and becomes increasingly amenable to travel and business opportunities,
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts find it even more attractive for investment,�
said Steve Haggerty, Global Head of Real Estate & Development, Global
Hyatt Corporation. �New Park Hyatt openings in both Shanghai and Beijing,
along with other brands across the country, represent a strong push to
strengthen Hyatt�s presence in Asia. Our discerning leisure and business
guests will now have an even broader range of destinations from which to
choose and an authentic Hyatt experience to host them.�
Shanghai
Once known as the "Paris of the east,� Shanghai is home to three Hyatt
properties. Amidst the city�s intriguing blend of historical sites and
ultra-modern architecture, guests can enjoy the recently opened Hyatt on
the Bund (a Grand Hyatt hotel), located in the historic Puxi District to
the west of the Huang Pu River. Residing directly on the Bund, or western
waterfront, the hotel is surrounded by the classical architecture of Shanghai�s
former colonial settlements and offers spectacular views of both the Bund
and the modern skyscrapers of Pudong. Designed by U.S.-based firm Remedios
Siembieda, the hotel�s cutting-edge architecture angles dramatically, enabling
all 631 rooms to enjoy the same spectacular views through floor-to-ceiling
windows. The not-to-be-missed Vue Lounge on the 32nd and 33rd floors invites
both hotel guests and city visitors to absorb the views from a relaxed
setting of daybeds, terraces and cozy fireplaces.
Across the river, Pudong is Shanghai�s rapidly growing financial and
business district, offering visitors the modern attractions of the Shanghai
Museum on People�s Square and the Shanghai Stock Exchange, along with the
historical sites of Nan Shi (old Chinese City) and Wen Temple. Located
directly in its center, Grand Hyatt Shanghai occupies floors 53 through
87 of the Jin Mao Tower, with its conical-shaped architecture offering
a postmodern twist on the traditional Chinese tiered pagoda. Grand Hyatt�s
stunning art deco interiors line one of the largest barrel-vaulted atriums
in the world (at 31 floors), and all 555 rooms offer far-reaching views
from what is currently the highest hotel in the world. In addition to numerous
top-notch restaurants and bars, the hotel features the slick Pu-J�s Bar
designed by SuperPotato, the Japanese design firm led by Takashi Sugimoto
and known for its highly polished projects around the world.
Guests can also stay at the soon-to-open Park Hyatt Shanghai located
a stone�s throw away from the Grand Hyatt Shanghai on floors 79 through
93 of the 101-story Shanghai World Financial Centre (SWFC), also known
as �The Vertical Complex City.� Offering interiors designed by New York-based
Tony Chi in the spirit of a modern Chinese residence, the 174-room hotel
will usurp the Grand Hyatt�s current status as the highest hotel in the
world when it opens in July of this year. All guestrooms will boast stunning
city views and floors 91 through 93 will feature the highest dining, entertainment
and meeting destinations in the world.
Beijing
China�s bustling capital city offers guests two Hyatt brands, both located
on Chang An Avenue, the city�s largest central boulevard. Grand Hyatt Beijing
resides in the prestigious Oriental Plaza, with its myriad upscale boutiques,
and a comfortable ten-minute walk from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden
City. The 825-room hotel�s distinctively contemporary profile combines
western elements with China�s traditional quadrangle architecture. Features
not to be missed on any city tour or Olympic visit include the hotel�s
internationally acclaimed Made in China restaurant, designed with flair
by Japanese firm SuperPotato. Four glass-walled exhibition kitchens allow
guests to witness the city�s finest Peking Duck as it roasts or dumplings
being made by hand, and Executive Chef Jack Aw Yong�s northern China dishes
are always served with innovation. Beijing�s new Olympic stadium is located
just a 30-minute drive away.
A ten-minute drive down the same avenue, Park Hyatt Beijing will be
open and ready for the Summer Olympics. Occupying the top floors of a dramatic
66-story tower in the sprawling, mixed-use development of the Beijing Yintai
Centre, the city�s first Park Hyatt will also be its highest hotel. Designed
by legendary American architect John Portman, the main Park Tower will
offer Beijing�s first penthouses along with Park Life, an exclusive lifestyle
environment and retail center designed by SuperPotato. Crowned with a Chinese
�lantern� that creates a soaring glass-pyramid ceiling within, the tower
will house the highest restaurant in Beijing with commanding, 360-degree
views and the city�s highest hotel lobby, spa and meeting rooms.
Over the next three years, Hyatt will continue to grow its regional
network of distinct Hyatt brands with opening three additional Grand Hyatt
properties (Grand Hyatt Guangzhou, April 2008 and Grand Hyatt Macau and
Grand Hyatt Shenzhen in 2009) and Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort & Spa (2009).
Hyatt�s core Regency brand will significantly expand throughout the region
with Hyatt Regency Beijing (2009), Hyatt Regency Nanjing (2009), Hyatt
Regency Suzhou (2009), the new Hyatt Regency Hong Kong (2009) and Hyatt
Regency Chengdu (2010). The opening of the new 384-room Hyatt Regency Hong
Kong will come three years after the closure of the original 1969 Hyatt
Regency Hong Kong, the property which marked the birth of Hyatt International
Corporation. Much of the original hotel�s décor and room furnishings
will be incorporated into the new design, and long-famed Hugo�s restaurant
and the Chin Chin Bar will be brought back to life as well.
About Global Hyatt Corporation
Global Hyatt Corporation, one of the world�s premier hotel companies,
offers today�s travelers more than 750 hotels and resorts (more than 140,000
rooms) in more than 45 countries. The company�s affiliates own, operate,
manage and franchise Hyatt-branded hotels and resorts under Park Hyatt�,
Grand Hyatt�, Hyatt Regency�, Hyatt Resorts�, Hyatt®, Hyatt Place�
and Hyatt Summerfield Suites� brands, as well as the company�s newest global
luxury brand, Andaz�, which recently opened its first property in London.
Global Hyatt Corporation is also the owner of Hyatt Vacation Ownership,
Inc. operator of Hyatt Vacation Club and fractional residential properties
and U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc, which franchises Hawthorn Suites and Microtel
Inns and Suites. From the U.S. and Canada, reservations for any Hyatt hotel
worldwide may be obtained by calling 1-800-233-1234, or logging on to www.hyatt.com. |