BACKGROUND
Part of the Grand Hyatt portfolio, this five-star property opened its doors in 2007 in Shanghai’s up-and-coming North Bund district.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The hotel is split into two towers, East and West, connected by a grand mezzanine lobby with views of a tranquil water feature on the basement level below. The East Tower is home to Bund Club Rooms and Suites with direct access to the Bund Club lounge and private meeting rooms.
WHERE IS IT?
Situated on the banks of the Huangpu River in Puxi, Shanghai’s historic centre. It is five minutes walking distance to the northern part of the beautiful Bund and close to the International Cruise Terminal. It is 40 minutes by car from Hongqiao International Airport, and up to 60 minutes from Pudong International Airport.
THE ROOMS
More than 70 per cent of guest rooms have good views of the surrounding area. Each room has a work desk with high-speed broadband internet access, dual-line telephones and multi-channel LCD flat screen television. Guests staying on the Bund Club executive floors have exclusive use of the Bund Club lounge. Open from 6:30am to 11:00pm, guests can enjoy complimentary refreshments throughout the day, including a buffet breakfast until 10:30am on weekdays (11:00am on weekends), as well as evening cocktails from 5:00pm to 8:00am.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES
Like other major hotels in Shanghai, Hyatt on the Bund features extensive business and meetings facilities. There are two ballrooms on the lobby level with outdoor terraces. The 850 sqm Grand Ballroom can accommodate 900 guests theatre-style, while the Bund Ballroom has a capacity of 400 guests. Nine multi-sized meeting rooms are located on the second floor, and for Bund Club Room guests the Bund Club Lounge features three meeting rooms that can seat up to ten people in each. There is also the Glasshouse, a circular-shaped pavilion with 180-degree glass windows accessed by a spacious outdoors area-ideal for private functions and cocktail events.
LEISURE FACILITIES
Located on the lower lobby level is a 25-metre four-lane indoor swimming pool, open from 6:00am until 11:00pm. Part of a 3,000 sqm leisure complex, the pool can be accessed via changing rooms equipped with a steam room and sauna, a heated Jacuzzi, and for the hardy, a cold water plunge pool. There is a fully equipped 24-hour fitness centre complete with a modest gymnasium studio where Tai Chi and Pilates classes are hosted. The award-winning Yuan Spa is also located here. There are 12 treatment rooms, a few of which are adjacent to public areas, so be warned it can be slightly noisy if an event is taking place just outside. A must-try for weary travellers in one of the quieter rooms is the Yuan Massage that utilises jade stones and traditional Chinese medicine techniques, to target acupressure points and meridian lines.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Xindalu is the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant serving regional cuisine. Try the Peking duck cooked in a wood-fired oven. Located on level two is Aroma restaurant, which serves international fare across its six open concept kitchens. Guests can choose from a buffet option, or from the menu that in addition to Western and Chinese favourites, has a list of lighter options so you can stay healthy on the go. During my stay I ventured to Vue, located on the top two levels of the West Tower, as I was told it is one of Shanghai’s most fashionable hotel bars, with its open-air terrace and whirlpool bath. While it does have that “wow factor” with its stunning views of the Huangpu River-the Bund on the Puxi side, and the modern skyline of the Lujiazui area on the Pudong side, the service standards left a lot to be desired. Note: if you are not a hotel guest there is a fee of RMB100 (US$16) to enter. Three floors below is the European Vue Restaurant, designed like a private residence with rows of shelves stacked high with memorabilia and collectables from smoking pipes to model cars and antique cameras.
VERDICT
Conveniently located near Pudong, the city’s commercial hub, via Xinjian Road Tunnel, and with its own extensive meeting facilities, Hyatt on the Bund is ideal for those conducting business during their stay in Shanghai.
FACT FILE
HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 631 rooms and suites, with four different room types, starting from Standard Rooms to spacious 80 sqm Bund Suites. The hallmark is the bi-level Chairman Suite; at 300 sqm it has its own rooftop terrace with an outdoor-jetted tub and executive floor benefits.
HIGHLIGHTS Extensive leisure facilities provide ample opportunity to relax and stay fit.
CONTACT Hyatt on the Bund, 199 Huang Pu Road Shanghai, China, 200080; tel + 86 21 6393 1234; http://shanghai.bund.hyatt.com
Elizabeth Wood
