BACKGROUND
This 208-room luxury property opened in December 2015, located in the top floors of a modern tower in the city’s Zhujiang New Town area. It is the sixth Park Hyatt in China.
WHERE IS IT?
Behind the International Finance Center one block back from Huacheng Square, the quadrangle that is the focal point of Guangzhou’s new CBD. Line 3 of the Metro underground network is just across the road, the airport a 50-minute drive, and Guangzhou East Railway Station 15-20 minutes away by car or subway.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
Designed by Japanese firm Super Potato, the attractive blend of modern aesthetics with traditional materials and furnishings centres around four elements: wood, iron, brick and copper. Throughout the hotel the wall coverings switch between brick tiling, wood panelling and carvings, sheet metal and even old ironwork. Inventive sculptures made from recycled wood blocks adorn the walls and crop up in public spaces on every floor – it’s nothing if not original.
From the street entrance you’re whisked up to the 65th floor lobby, where separate elevators take you down to the guestrooms on floors 53 to 62. The views from virtually anywhere in the hotel are spectacular.
ROOM FACILITIES
There are four room and five suite categories, accessed down low-lit, plushly carpeted corridors. I was in a Park King (52 sqm) that continued the theme of mixing old and new: next to a freestanding TV was a classic Chinese cabinet, which hid the minibar and Nespresso machine. The “smart” toilet automatically raised the seat cover as you entered and offered bidet and other functions, while beautiful wooden flooring and a traditional wooden screen behind the bed was juxtaposed by bright modern artwork on the opposite wall and a wire-hung, brushed-metal spotlight over the round table.
Floor-to-ceiling windows made the most of the room’s height above the city, and the décor was warm, with light woods and neutral grey tones. The bathroom had a separate rainforest shower stall and a bathtub facing a mirror with an in-built TV, but the bathroom accessories were housed in a beautiful wooden box (a menu details items you can ask to be delivered to your room). A walk-in wardrobe closet completed what was a spacious room offering that ticked all the necessary boxes – fast wifi, power points, utilities, etc – but added stylish details that are typical of Park Hyatt’s design-led brand message.
Added-value extras include a Whats App number through which you can message questions to a “Guest Experience Host” whilst out and about, plus a free digital newspaper service via the downloadable Press Reader app.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
To the right of the lobby’s front desks and extending around the side of the 65th floor is the Living Room, a casual all-day dining area. Light Western and Chinese meals are available, as well as afternoon tea and a free-flow “Wine o’Clock” evening offering. On the same floor to the left side is the Dining Room, a Mediterranean-themed restaurant with a focus on southern Italian cuisine. Breakfast is served here, plus a semi-buffet lunch and à la carte dinner; two private dining rooms sport interesting walls made from compacted layers of Guangzhou newspapers and cardboard boxes.
On the 68th floor Cantonese fine dining restaurant Yue Jing Xuan has eight private rooms and a large main dining area next to a bustling open kitchen that creates a convivial atmosphere. On the 70th floor is The Roof Bar, Guangzhou’s highest outdoor bar area with unbeatable views of Canton Tower, plus a trendy interior that’s equally appealing.
MEETING FACILITIES
The hotel’s six function rooms are all on the 66th floor and cover a total of 1,300 sqm. A large pre-function space leads to salons that can be opened up to create space for up to 100 people, and two boast extensive show kitchens.
LEISURE FACILITIES
These are all on the 63rd floor, and include the Spa with eight treatment rooms, an excellent 25-metre lap pool and a 24-hour gym stocked with Life Fitness equipment.
VERDICT
Beautifully designed, this is one of Guangzhou’s most stylish hotels, with views to match the many attractive interior spaces. Among this district’s rival properties situated in sky-piercing towers, it can stand tall.
PRICE
Internet rates for a Park King room in mid-July start from RMB1,955 (US$285) including taxes and surcharges.
CONTACT
16 Huaxia Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510623; tel +86 20 3769 1234; guangzhou.park.hyatt.com
