Background
Opened in March 2014, the Wanda Reign Wuhan was the flagship property of the group’s top luxury brand, followed by Wanda Reign Chengdu in December 2015 and Shanghai’s Wanda Reign on the Bund, which opened last month.
Where is it?
Situated near the beautiful East Lake Scenic Area in Wuchang district, the hotel also sits at the head of the “new downtown” – an entertainment and commercial complex developed by the Wanda group that contains shops, restaurants, Madame Tussauds and the Wanda Movie Theme Park. It’s about a 30-minute drive to the airport, and 15 minutes from Wuhan railway station.
What’s it like?
Over-the-top luxury is the name of the game, from the tuxedo-clad Bentley chauffeur who greeted me at the airport (the “Imperial Welcome”) to the spectacular 60-metre embossed jade wall mural in the lobby – every element is designed to impress. And that’s before you enter the gilded guestrooms.
Room facilities
There are 413 luxurious rooms and suites. All rooms are 45 sqm, with categories distinguished by floor and/or view. The more premium categories – such as my Executive Deluxe lake view room on the 29th floor, enjoy enhanced furnishings and amenities including a decadent leather massage chair, as well as access to the executive lounge Club Reign.
In keeping with the theme of extravagance, rooms are sumptuously bedecked in a flourish of golden ornaments, varnished surfaces and handmade silk tapestries. The main crystal “pendant” light fixture shimmered over a thick gold and silver carpet.
Sinking into the custom-made “Reign Bed” with goose-down duvet made for a deep sleep, while the Dream Menu (offering a choice of pillows and reading material) was the icing on the cake.
The bathrooms are no less opulent, with gold taps, marble surfaces and premium Hermès amenities. There’s a full rain shower, “smart” Toto toilet and deep bathtub, and the bathroom mirror has an inset TV.
The rooms have been packed with facilities including Nespresso machines, ironing boards and an air purifier. The lacquered work desk is also bursting with provisions, from stationery to a box of cables for the comprehensive connection panel on the wall. There are plenty of universal sockets throughout the room, including handy ports discreetly hidden in bedside drawers to charge mobile phones, etc. Technological highlights include the fact that the TV automatically mutes if the phone rings, plus a security camera that shows the person outside the room onscreen.
Restaurants and bars
There are three main F&B offerings available, plus the lobby lounge, which serves afternoon tea and hosts live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. He Japanese restaurant, also on the ground floor, offers excellent sushi, sashimi and seasonal dishes. It is one of the most expensive Japanese restaurants in Wuhan, with an average cover costing around RMB1,000 (US$152) per person. All-day dining is served at Café Reign, with a buffet and à la carte menu.
Classic Chinese fare can be found at River Drunk on the sixth floor, in either the main dining area or seven private dining rooms, which includes the enormous Wanda Room with a huge circular table seating 24, an outside terrace and lounge area.
Meeting facilities
There are 13 separate function rooms. The 1,500 sqm ballroom is situated on the third floor, featuring three enormous chandeliers, the largest LED screen in Wuhan (75 sqm) and six intricately carved entrance doors that cost RMB5 million (US$762,000) each. Attached to the hotel is the iconic Han Show Theatre – making it ideal for large corporate groups.
Leisure facilities
The fifth floor is home to a beauty and hair salon, billiard room, ping-pong room, yoga studio and a gym with Technogym equipment. A large indoor swimming pool pipes underwater music.
VERDICT
There is no subtlety in the Wanda Reign’s approach to luxury. While it might be too much bling for some, the service and facilities are faultless and the location is superb.
FACT FILE
- PRICE Internet rates for an Executive Deluxe room in mid-August start from RMB2,320 (US$354) per night.
- CONTACT 138 East Lake Road, Shuiguohu Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei province; tel +86 027 5959 9999; wandahotels.com
Tamsin Cocks
