CHICAGO (October
18, 2011) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: 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 Residences and 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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