Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008 - (Page 17)

ADVISOR INSIGHT: Maddalena Ferro, product manager for China and India for Viaggi dell’Elefante (www.viaggidellelefante.it) in Rome, tells us: “Shanghai is quite unlike any other Chinese city. It is a bustling, astounding, elegant and cosmopolitan metropolis. Strolling along the Bund, which flanks the Huangpu River, you feel suspended in time as you admire the handsome, classical 1930s buildings and the futuristic skyscrapers in Pudong, just across the river. Shanghai is a city to be enjoyed and discovered but not from a taxi; you have to discover it on foot and get caught up in the crowds to savor its true atmosphere. “For art lovers, the Yuyuang Gardens in the Old City next to the quaint Tea Pavilion is one of the most beautiful in China. Another must-see is the Temple of the Jade Buddha, which houses a precious Burmese jade statue. And, after all this culture, you will want to enjoy some shopping, so head for the Nanjing Road with its many boutiques and departments stores. When it comes to eating, Shanghai has more than 600 restaurants specializing in different Chinese regional cuisines. For an evening with a different twist, don’t miss the ‘hot jazz’ orchestra in the epic Peace Hotel. The musicians are all in their 70s!” JIA SHANGHAI PENTHOUSE SUITES (this photo and above right) have two bathrooms and a kitchen and the services of a personal bartender. and his team greet guests and arrange in-house massages, personalized city tours, limo transfers and shopping at the Plaza 66 mall or in brand-name stores on the Bund. Complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, wine tastings and soft drinks are served in the comfortable lounge bar off the lobby of the hotel, which is a seven-story, 1930s former apartment building located on a side road off Nanjing Road. The corridors of the hotel’s five floors are dimly lit, but the 55 rooms and suites are airy, with chic, bespoke furnishings. The 33 standard rooms have king-size beds with goose-down duvets, as well as comfortable couches. The well-equipped kitchen’s pod cupboards, complete with bottles of wine and the home entertainment system made us think of cozy eat-in nights. Bathrooms have glitzy Bisazza mosaic tiles, marble baths, separate showers and toilet areas and signature JIA jasmine-and-ginger toiletries. We liked the larger studioplus rooms, which have a living/dining area and kitchenette. For clients who like a touch of history, ask for the studio-plus rooms on the fifth floor; they sport “Mao” bed-head murals, which are very China. For those who crave more space, General Manager Johannes Qiao (johannesqiao@jiashanghai. com) recommends a balcony suite (011 series) or corner suite (012 series) with separate living rooms, fully stocked cocktail cabinets and extra-spacious bathrooms. He also advises booking at least three weeks in advance for a stay from April to June and September to October. For those special VIPs, book one of the penthouse suites (709 and 701) with two bathrooms and kitchens. Number 709 has two double bedrooms, while 701 has one extra-large bedroom, a steam room, a large, round Jacuzzi, dining table for eight and a study area. Tip: Sales Manager Vivian Chau (011-86-62179000 or 011-852-3196-9000) says bookings are a must for Italian celebrity chef Salvatore Cuomo’s Issimo restaurant. The PuDi Boutique Hotel (www.boutiquehotel.cc, www. accorhotels.com.cn), in the European-inspired former French Concession, really appealed to us for its ultra-dark décor, bright rooms, incredibly spacious bathrooms and 24/7 butler service. (The lobby is so dark that it takes the eyes time to adjust. However, a large aquarium’s light helps, as do the lights in the elevator; they change color on each floor, to red, blue, green and gold.) www.luxuryta.com June 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 17 http://www.viaggidellelefante.it http://www.boutiquehotel.cc http://www.accorhotels.com.cn http://www.accorhotels.com.cn http://www.luxuryta.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Paris Shanghai New York Takeover Hotels Townhouse Galleria Florida Spas BVI Bliss Athens, Greece Rainforest Excursions Nigel Page The Pulse Jetset Report Just Back On Location Sightings Agent Access Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008

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