Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, Shanghai, China

Le Royal Meridien Shanghai hotel opened in October 2006, signalling the aggressive growth plan of the Le Meridien brand since it was acquired by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc in November 2005. The ultra-luxury, technologically-advanced five-star hotel is located between Nanjing Road East and the greenery of People's Square and has made its mark as a new urban icon.

The 48 storey hotel is contained in a 60 storey high rise, which is one of the city's tallest buildings (the Shimao International Plaza, measuring 333m/1,093ft (spire height), roof height 246.5m).

The hotel is located within close proximity to the Museum of Contemporary Art and is the tallest building in Shanghai, Puxi, Huangpu district. The hotel was designed by Bilkey Llinas & Associates and the whole building has been configured to adhere to strict Feng Shui design principles. The whole building cost ¥3bn to construct; the cost of fitting out the hotel is not known.

FACILITIES

The hotel has 770 guestrooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows providing dramatic views of the Huangpu River, People's Park and the ever-changing Shanghai skyline.

Each guest room includes individually controlled air conditioning, a 42'' plasma screen with satellite TV programs and a combined DVD, VCD and CD player, international direct dial lines telephone, wireless and broadband internet access, glass bathroom with a rain shower system and a central floating wash basin, and separate sofa seating.

Suites measure from 517ft² to 4,058ft² and consist of a living room with working area and sofa, one or two bedrooms and a spacious bathroom.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES

The hotel is able to handle a variety of events, from small board meetings to executive conferences, galas and weddings. There is more than 21,500ft² of conference space available including a state-of-the-art business centre, two grand ballrooms with natural light, five meeting rooms and one VIP room.

All of these are stylish and fully equipped with built-in technology; the conference facilities include a simultaneous translation system, state of the art audio and video equipment, sound system, LCD projector and screen, professional lighting equipment, high-speed internet access and computer rental.

SPA TREATMENT

Eight private luxury treatment suites at 'Le Spa' offer a respite from the frenetic energy of city. The 'Le Spa' experience is a fusion of Asian culture, Chinese wellness and European treatments designed to restore and revitalise the weary traveller.

RESTAURANTS

The hotel features ten restaurants and bars offering a variety of cuisines from around the globe. 'Le Bistro' is an all day restaurant offering a mix of international cuisine, Asian and Western dishes. Cantonese cuisine with Shanghainese and Sichuanese signature dishes is available at 'Ai Mei' Chinese Restaurant. French cuisine with the flavour of the Mediterranean is offered at 'Allure' French Restaurant while 'Favola Ristorante, Pizzeria and Wine Bar' presents good honest Italian food.

Cocktails, coffee and tea and small dishes are available at 'Le Salon' Lobby Lounge and fresh juices at 'Chill Juice Bar'. At the top of the hotel is '789' Nanjing Lu Semi-Private Club located on the top three levels of the hotel. The club offers excellent views of the city with a seafood ice bar, cigar room and private lounge.

DESIGNERS AND CONTRACTORS

Shanghai Shimao Group was the developer (the original developer Wan Xiang Group was bought out in 2001), Le Royal Meridien Shanghai being the group's first major luxury hotel project. Construction of the building commenced in December 2001, topped out in 2005 and finished later in 2005. Aside from the 48 floor five-star hotel there is also a nine floor shopping mall, and three floors of exclusive clubs.

The architect was Ingenhoven Overdiek und Partner and East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co Ltd. Construction and engineering on the building was carried out by Shimao Group, Happold Consulting Engineers Ltd (Buro Happold Engineers) and Brandschutz Planung Klingsch GmbH. The building is of reinforced steel and concrete construction and the total floor area is 170, 000m².