Marriott International announced the opening of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong on Thursday, which marks the first JW Marriott Marquis hotel in China.

The 39-storey luxury property, owned by China’s Luneng Group, is located near the Huangpu River and is close to the city’s Lujiazui central business district. Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Arena, can all be reached within 10 to 15 minutes by car.

There are 515 guestrooms and suites, whose sizes start from 46 sqm. In-room amenities include Simmons mattresses, a 55-inch Samsung flat screen TV, surround sound systems and Nespresso coffee machine. What’s more, toddler-themed rooms, kids’ toiletries and slippers, as well as family-friendly activities are also available for families with kids.

The hotel has four dining outlets. The Merchant Kitchen is an all-day dining restaurant serving both international buffet and à la carte dishes. Flint, the hotel’s grill and bar, offers premium meat and seafood, as well as a selection of wines and cocktails. Its “industrial-chic decor” reinterprets the style of New York in the mid-19th century.

Le Manoir Ling is a three-storey restaurant. The space includes private dining rooms, a rooftop bar, karaoke and an interactive kitchen. Le Manoir Ling features a fusion menu of French and Cantonese cuisine “accented by Shanghai’s unique Hai Pai culture”. There’s also the JW Garden where guests can enjoy afternoon tea, light fare and live music.

Guests staying at rooms on executive levels and suites have access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge, where they can enjoy fresh juices for breakfast and signature cocktails in the evening.

Wellness facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, a spa and a heated indoor infinity pool. Guests can use the Dyson hairdryers in the changing rooms, or enjoy views of the Huangpu River through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the pool deck.

The hotel has more than 7,600 sqm of event space, which consists of two grand ballrooms, two meeting rooms and 12 multifunction rooms and banquet venues. The Junior Marquis and Grand Marquis Ballrooms can accommodate 600 and 800 guests respectively, and can be divided into customisable spaces with separate entrances. The two meeting rooms are separated by a live culinary theatre with glass walls adjustable from opaque to transparent upon demand, which makes live cooking shows or cooking classes possible.

When asked about the differences between JW Marriott and JW Marriott Marquis, a spokesperson from Marriott International said:

“While all JW Marriott properties offer exceptional service and award-winning accommodations, the Marquis title is bestowed to the elite global properties within the JW Marriott portfolio that offer 5-star sophistication across the highest levels of design, technology and comfort. Intended for the diverse landscape of world-class business meetings and events as well as the bold leisure traveller.

“A key differentiator of Marquis is its strong focus on group business. Designed to attract and meet the needs of this primary customer, a unique mix of criteria have proven to drive results. In addition to physical attribute criteria, there is a focus on ensuring strong group expertise around meetings and events. Primary locations, outstanding F&B offerings as well as strong focus on group.

This hotel in Shanghai is the world’s fourth JW Marriott Marquis hotel and the brand’s first property in Asia. The other three JW Marriott Marquis hotels are located in Miami, Dubai and Doha.

“For years, Shanghai has been deemed one of the most iconic cities in China and in the world, drawing in luxury travellers of different backgrounds that call for premium hospitality and personalised service,” said Henry Lee, chief operations officer and managing director, Greater China, Marriott International.

He added: “We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong, as it stands not only for the latest milestone in the expansion of the JW Marriott luxury portfolio in China, but a new chapter for exceptional programmes we are bringing to China’s luxury travellers.”

Marriott International will continue to open several luxury properties by the end of this year. Earlier in April this year, the opening of The St. Regis Hong Kong marked Marriott’s 7,000th property worldwide.

marriott.com