China remains a hotly contested battleground for the hotel industry, as JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts has unveiled another property in the country, the 356-room JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an. An event held on December 26 allowed the media and select guests to inspect the new hotel, although bookings will not be accepted until next month.
The opening follows those of JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing (see story) and JW Marriott Hotel Zhengzhou (see story) earlier this year.
Offering views of Qianhai Bay and the Pearl River Delta, the new hotel is the combined effort of architecture firm John Portman & Associates and interior design company HBA (Hirsch Bedner Associate). It is located in the 14.92 sq km Qianhai development zone, a project that aims to facilitate closer Guangdong-Hong Kong trade ties with focuses on finance, modern logistics, information services and technology. Bao'an is also home to the city's international airport.
The lobby
Developed by the OTC Group, which also owns quite a number of other hotels in Shenzhen and around China, the new JW Marriott is only partially open but all the facilities are expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of next year. The interiors are inspired by local culture and art, with the mythical fenghuang (Chinese phoenix) represented by the hotel’s fluid curves and the guestrooms' pale blue palette. When entering the lobby, guests will have their attention caught by the artwork “Paradise of Materials” depicting Shenzhen's landscape, by Chinese artist Zhan Wang.
Each of the guestrooms and suites is designed in a sleek, modern style and offers ample natural light. Room amenities include high-speed internet access, multi-media panel, mini-bar, capsule coffee maker and organic herbal tea, as well as a 42-inch HDTV offering satellite TV channels. The bathroom offers either the city or bay view, and it is stocked with Aromatherapy Associates bath products.
One of the guestrooms
There are three food and beverage outlets. On the top floor is Bayview Restaurant, which serves a selection of Chinese and Western dishes with a panoramic view of Qianhai Bay. The glass ceiling allows diners to do some the moon- and star-gazing while enjoying their meals. The menu is put together by executive chef Lim Chuan Seng, who has previously worked at the Burj Al Arab Dubai and China World Summit Wing in Beijing, in addition to being the winner of CCTV2’s Greatest Chef Cooking Show in 2013.
All-day dining outlet Shenzhen Kitchen offers specialties from China, India, Japan and Europe from live open kitchens, and there is also an outdoor terrace. The Lounge, meanwhile, serves afternoon tea, drinks and local snacks with live piano music.
For functions and events, there are 10 flexible venues with a total of 2,600sqm, including the 1,758sqm Grand Ballroom that is the largest of its kind in the city. Notable features include the LED ceiling, RCF line-array speakers, a private elevator and spiral staircase, plus a specially designed lift capable of transporting cars – a must in a country with a packed motor show calendar. The Grand Ballroom’s 500sqm foyer features floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace with bay views.
Otherwise, seven other fully equipped spaces ranging from 75sqm to 315sqm are suitable for all kinds of events.
One of the nine spa treatment rooms
The 4,000sqm Waterfall Spa & Wellness centre has nine private spa suites, each with its own private steam rain-shower, Jacuzzi and dressing room. The 300sqm gymnasium is fitted with equipment by fitness brand Precor, including Preva programme that lets you keep track of your workout with on-console software or the Preva Mobile app. There are also a hot yoga studio, a 40-metre heated indoor infinity pool, and a landscaped outdoor pool and terrace.
marriott.com/hotels/travel/szxba-jw-marriott-hotel-shenzhen-baoan
Reggie Ho
