Hyatt has officially opened Andaz Shanghai, introducing its vibrant, boutique-inspired, lifestyle Andaz brand to Asia.
The newly constructed 28-story hotel is located in Xintiandi, a landmark entertainment area in the heart of downtown Shanghai and a short walk to the Metro and Huai Hai Zong Road, one of the city’s main shopping areas.
Andaz Shanghai features 307 spacious guestrooms, including 47 premier rooms and suites, ranging in size from 850 to 2,000 square feet, all enjoying vibrant views over Xintiandi or the city.
In an effort to make a stay as uncomplicated as possible, all non-alcoholic mini bar drinks and all-day light snacks in the Andaz Lounge are complimentary, as are local telephone calls and wireless Internet access.
Mood lighting has been used to impressive effect: LED lighting on the ceiling allows guests to choose the color and mood of their room, while, in the bathroom, where the walls resemble a roughly hewn rock face, the transparent sink and translucent bath can also be programmed to glow in different colors. Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates is the architecture design firm for the hotel, and Super Potato is the interior design firm.
Restaurants and bars at Andaz Shanghai showcase the vibrant local neighborhood and adhere to the “market-to-table” philosophy of offering fresh, seasonal local produce. The Andaz Lounge is the heartbeat of the hotel, a casual, all-day space where guests and visitors can congregate for a convivial drink or snack.
Adjacent to Andaz Lounge is Éclair, a patisserie, and the main outlet in the hotel is Hai Pai (a local phrase meaning “modern Shanghainese spirit”), which is a four-level hub housing two restaurants, a bar and private dining rooms. With terrace views overlooking Xintiandi, the restaurant aspires to be a friendly, neighborhood eatery offering unpretentious Shanghainese and French comfort food.
Three floors of sophisticated event space provide unique venues for meetings, social occasions, fashion shows and weddings. Three Meeting Andaz Studios measuring from 538 sq ft to 1,119 sq ft are ideal for intimate meetings or events, while the 5,800 plus sq ft Ballroom can hold cocktail receptions for 460 people or cater to 300 guests for banquets.
At the end of the year, the residential-style Andaz Garden Studio will open, featuring four event rooms, two outdoor terraces, and a spectacular Glass Pavilion surrounded by water ideal for a wedding or red-carpet event space.
Andaz Shanghai offers more than 23,000 square feet of relaxation facilities, featuring a translucent indoor pool, which glows with internal LED lighting and a 24-hour gym with the latest cardio workout equipment.
Opening at a later stage, Optime Spa, like its legendary city, will draw on both old and new, paying homage to proven Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methods while adopting the best of modern holistic and wellness practices to offer cutting-edge, anti-aging and results-oriented treatments.
The artwork at Andaz Shanghai – all by artists with a strong connection to the city – was selected around the theme of “Collective New Media Art,” referencing the hotel’s unique location, and exploring themes of past and present, new and old, deconstruction and reconstruction. The artwork aims to challenge the conventions of art in a hotel space and break down boundaries for visual experiences, allowing guests not only to observe, but also to interact with pieces. The diverse mixed media used, from LED lighting to sensors and from video projections to recycled materials, combine to create an eclectic and refreshingly unconventional collection.