Hangzhou, China was once dubbed the “City of Heaven” by Marco Polo, and at the end of this summer it will also be home to the the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake. The hotel is just 45 minutes from the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and will be a mere 38 minutes from Shanghai when construction on the long awaited Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train is completed in October.
The Maglev, with its amazingly comfortable VIP cars, will utilize magnetic levitation and reach speeds of approximately 280 miles per hour, while providing excellent views of some of China’s most beautiful landscapes. This new method of transportation conveniently links the two cities for the traveler who prioritizes the destination above a lengthy journey.
Upon arrival, the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake immediately offers a unique experience by synthesizing traditional Chinese architecture with the most modern technologies and luxurious amenities. The Hotel features 81 guestrooms, including 7 suites and 3 residential villas. Decorated in the traditional Jiang Nan style, the grounds are composed of several pagoda-like buildings lining a series of lagoons and streams. The pristine walkways wind through 9 acres of bamboo groves and are the perfect way to explore the hotel grounds and admire the ornate architecture, which blends seamlessly into the surrounding environment.
Guests can choose from an executive suite, a premier room, and a deluxe room with or without a terrace. The Lake, Lagoon and Lotus Suites all exceed 1300 square feet and feature some of the best scenic views in the hotel. The Presidential Villa and the Garden Villa are each 10,000 square feet, and come complete with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a private garden and swimming pool.
Jin Sha, the Four Season’s main restaurant, features classic Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes that can be enjoyed in the chic dining room, bustling bar, or in one of Jin Sha’s eleven private dining pavilions. Featuring both indoor and outdoor space, these elegant, secluded pavilions are open to parties of 6-16 people, and are perfect for intimate dinner parties, or important business meetings. The West Lake Bistro, also known as WLB, is the other in-house restaurant. Serving both Asian and Western cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the bistro is a more casual dining option and offers round-the-clock in-room service.
The Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake is also equipped with two contemporary lounges, spacious conference rooms, and an extravagant ballroom.. The Lobby Lounge, located next to the reception area, offers a traditional afternoon tea service daily and provides a welcoming place to meet or just relax. The Bar, often referred to as the heart of the hotel’s social scene, serves premium quality liqueur and champagne in a modern space with a vibrant atmosphere. The Willow, Maple, and Pine conference rooms blend business like décor with breathtaking views and time-honored Chinese design, making them ideal for meetings and seminars. Combined, the conference spaces offer over 5,500 square feet and feature everything from state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment to readily available worldwide courier services. The sophisticated 3,444 square foot ballroom has its own lush carpeted foyer, an inviting terrace overlooking the garden lagoon, and traditional crystal chandeliers. The Spa offers treatments aptly described as “traditional rituals,” all of which are over two hours long and designed to engage the senses. There is a particular emphasis on smell and all treatments utilize aromatherapy. The Emperor’s bath ritual is a modern twist on the ancient tradition of herbal bathing, complete with full-body exfoliation, steam, and hot stone massage. The spa also offers treatments inspired by The Pursuit of Pleasures in the Course of the Seasons, the masterpiece created for Emperor Qianlong by his court painter Chen Mei. Guests can enjoy the water lily and peony spring rites, the jade and lotus summer rites, moon and chrysanthemum autumn rites, and lantern and plum-blossom winter rites. Each are designed for maximum comfort and relaxation during the appropriate season.
Hangzhou’s most prominent attractions are located only moments from the Four Seasons. West Lake, most often described by visitors as “enchanting,” features a sprawling 1500-acre Chinese garden, and is surrounded on three sides by mountain landscape. The other side of the lake faces the skyline of the city, where you can shop in the Hubin or Wulin districts for famous Chinese and international brands. Qing He Fang Street is most famous for its ancient shops and abundance of local cuisine. The Lingyin Temple, one of China’s largest and most affluent Buddhist temples is located only moments from the hotel, and is home to many famous cliff-side stone carvings and towering pagodas. The China Silk Museum, the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and one of China’s six ancient towns, Wuzhen, are also popular destinations in close proximity. For more recreational options, the city of Hangzhou also has a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course and a tennis stadium.
The Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake is currently accepting reservations for arrival dates beginning October 1st, 2010. Rooms start at $400 a night and vary depending on requested amenities.
-Affluent Page
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