Business travellers visiting Shanghai are to benefit from a unique facility at the city”s latest luxury boutique hotel, due to open early next year. The Place Hotel & Spa will form an integral part of the Park Plaza development on the east side of JingAn Park opening this summer.
The 22-storey hotel will operate a ”guests only” policy in all public areas to give enhanced exclusivity and utter privacy, with a heavy emphasis on unbeatable service for which guests can expect some of the highest room rates in the city.
However, the high price does have one considerable advantage for the business traveller, as all rates are fixed to include extra amenities used during a guest”s stay. Twenty-four hour butler service, full office and lounge facilities, wi-fi broadband access throughout and in-room breakfast, are all part of the package.
General manager Philippe Charraudeau, has extensive experience in the luxury hotel market having worked for The Savoy London, Mandarin Oriental, The Oberoi and Kempinski. He is confident the property will exceed its guests” expectations, saying ”The Place will not have good service, it will have great service.”
A dramatic 32m-(105ft) long bar forms the centrepiece of the hotel, where staff can check in guests, serve drinks and answer any general queries. Standard room size is an impressive 45sq m (148sq ft) and all feature personal espresso machines, a printer and deep baths with views over the city skyline.
The surrounding Park Plaza complex is located in the most prosperous area of the JingAn district ” Nanjing West Road ” at the junction of Metro No.2 and No.7 (currently under construction). A 43-storey office tower and 5-floor luxury retail and dining outlet, along with The Place Hotel, will occupy 200,000sq m with easy access to the JingAn Park.