Nick Walton’s Welcome To Asia, June 2017

Cordis Shanghai, Hongqiao, the second Cordis property from Langham Hotels & Resorts, has opened in the thriving commercial capital of China. Located close to the National Exhibition and Convention Centre, the new 396-room hotel is seamlessly connected to the Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Metro Lines 2 and 10 via underground and overhead access, and is only a five-minute drive from Hongqiao International Airport.

Perfectly suited for busy business travelers, the hotel boasts extensive meeting spaces, including two pillar-less ballrooms that can accommodate 600 guests each. But it’s not all work and no play; the Cordis is also home to four food and beverage outlets, which offer lively culinary experiences that reflect the Shanghainese cosmopolitan culture, and include C Market, a European and Pan-Asian inspired restaurant that employs fresh farm ingredients, and Chinese restaurant Xi Wei, which showcases contemporary Shanghainese and Cantonese cuisine. Be sure to leave time for a drink at Connection 12, the rooftop bar adjacent to the hotel’s swimming pool. 

After a major expansion, refurbishment and rebranding, Vietnamese retreat La Siesta Resort and Spa has emerged as the new luxury benchmark for Hoi An’s Unesco-listed Old Town as a new five-star opportunity walking distance from UNESCO district. Formerly the Essence Hoi An, the property now boasts a new East Wing, home to 37 luxurious rooms, a holistic spa, a salt water swimming pool and a fine-dining restaurant. Newly added guest rooms feature polished wood floors, custom teak furniture, deep wooden bathtubs and private Swedish sauna, while Duplex Suites also boast clawfoot bathtubs and expansive balconies overlooking the pool. For the ultimate splurge, opt for one of the Premium Terrace Suites, which span a generous 76-sqm and are kitted out with private Jacuzzis. Foodies can enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine at the Temple restaurant or lounge away the afternoon in the dedicated spa lounge. 

One of a series of anticipated openings for the city, St Regis Hotels & Resorts has opened in the heart of Shanghai’s cultural and business district with the unveiling of St Regis Shanghai Jingan. The luxurious new urban retreat boasts the brand’s signature butler service and its timeless blend of innovation and tradition, set against elegant interiors that fuse English and Chinese styles. The hotel’s 491 exquisitely styled guest rooms including 66 suites and 55 residences, each with sweeping city views. The three-bedroom, three-story Presidential Suite spans 650 square meters and is located on the top of the building, featuring a glass ceiling, vast living room, outdoor terraces with panoramic skyline views, full kitchen, dining room and lounge area. 

Dining is an essential component of Chinese culture. Subsequently, the new St Regis features six distinct restaurants and bars, from live teppanyaki cooking at Seki-tei, and seasonal chef’s tasting menus at Bespoke, refined Cantonese cuisine at specialty Chinese restaurant Yan Ting. Of course, no stay would be completer without an iconic Bloody Mary, first created at the St Regis New York, at The St. Regis Bar; the “Mary Jing” features unique Shanghai spices and local ingredients such as dried preserved figs infused in vodka combined with dried Osmanthus flowers. The hotel also boasts the brand’s signature Iridium Spa, which features a range of specialty massages and treatments, as well as an indoor swimming pool and 24-hour fitness center. Occupying the 36-68th floors of a new high rise on West Beijing Road in the heart of the Jingan District, the St Regis is a five-minute walk to the Shanghai Natural History Museum and a short drive to many cultural landmarks, including the famous Jingan Temple, the 400-year-old Yu Gardens, and its centerpiece, the Exquisite Jade Rock.  

Bringing cool to the Chinese capital, Shangri-La’s Hotel Jen Beijing has opened, offering travelers convenient, design-savvy accommodation, the only gastropub with its own brewery in the Guomao area, and an expansive, industrial-chic world-class gym catering to fitness enthusiasts and road warriors alike.

Designed by Stickman Tribe Dubai, the 450-room hotel features contemporary rooms and suites with a soothing neutral palette, and modern work spaces that are replete with multiple USB charging bays and complimentary WiFi connectivity. The spacious rooms start at 40sqm and feature floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the city. Both Jen 75 and the Jen 75 Skyline rooms include a kitchenette and breakfast bar in an open concept that allows for seamless movement from living room to bedroom.

After a day spent touring the Great Wall or Forbidden City, retreat to the 3,500sqm Trainyard Gym health club, which is open round the clock and features a 25-metre heated indoor pool with city views, a boxing ring, a Mixed Martial Arts area and fitness studios. 

Created as a stylish urban oasis in the heart of CBD Zhujiang New Town, Conrad Guangzhou has opened in Southern China, boasting panoramic river views from its rooms and restaurants while offering intuitive amenities and flawless service. Conrad Guangzhou offers 309 spacious guest rooms and suites in a modern 27-story tower overlooking the Pearl River and is close to the city’s leading shopping and entertainment precincts as well as popular landmarks like the Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou Opera House and Canton Tower. Rooms start at 48sqm and feature walk-in closets, large flat screen TVs, WiFi and wired internet access, and Nespresso coffee machines. You’ll dine well at the new hotel, which features three signature restaurants along with a lounge and bar envisioned by acclaimed designer André Fu. At Yun Pavilion, celebrated Chef Tan presents his innovative take on traditional Cantonese served in the contemporary dining area or private dining rooms, while Sense serves as the hotel’s all-day restaurant, offering a menu of international favorites served buffet style.