Two Ritz-Carlton hotels, opening shortly in China, will both occupy the top floors of landmark buildings in their respective cities.
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong, which debuts on June 21, 2010, takes up the top 18 storeys of the Shanghai IFC South Tower. The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, slated for a year-end launch, fills up floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in Kowloon.
These will bring the chain’s portfolio in the country to eight hotels and resorts. Said Mark DeCocinis, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company regional vice-president: “We made the decision more than 12 years ago when we opened our first hotel in the country that China was strategically important to us, and we have time and time again shown our commitment to and belief in China as a crucial business and leisure market.
“Last year, we hosted some 600,000 Chinese guests across our hotels in the country.”
The latest Ritz-Carltons, he said, would strengthen their position in the local luxury market, with the added cache of partnering the formidable Sun Hung Kai Properties in both projects.
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong was lucky enough to time its opening with the ongoing 2010 World Expo Shanghai. It features 285 guestrooms and suites and public spaces all exuding a modern interpretation of 1930s Shanghai Art Deco by Richard Farnell.
Room size starts from 50sqm (see guestroom below) and Club accommodation spans three floors, anchored by the Club lounge on the 49th floor. F&B outlets include the Aura Lounge and Jazz Bar, Xuan Chinese and Scena Italian Restaurants and the rooftop Flair Restaurant and Bar. A 1,135sqm ballroom for 840 guests and three meeting rooms. An opening rate of CNY2,888 (US$422), including perks such as a Deluxe room stay, one-way airport or train station transfer and complimentary local calls and newspapers among others, is available from June 21 for an indefinite period. (This is based on a two-night stay.)
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong aims to be a destination hotel, which won't be difficult as it is the topmost tenant of ICC, the newest addition to the territory's skyline. As revealed earlier to Business Traveller by DeCocinis (see news), 25 percent of 312-room inventory will be suites. Another draw will be the alfresco rooftop bar, 490m above sea level, which he said, was conceptualised having several zones "to serve different customer needs but put together will radiate high energy".
Room size start from 50sqm. F&B offerings, besides the rooftop bar, include lobby lounge (see below) and Chinese and Italian restaurants. A ballroom will measure 930sqm and come with four meetings rooms. An 860-square-metre ESPA Spa is found on the 116th floor. At the base of ICC is found Elements, a shopping mall with some of the finest brand names and fashion labels in the world.
For more details about the chain, visit www.ritzcarlton.com
Margie T Logarta
