Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008 - (Page 18)

THE PUDI BOUTIQUE HOTEL (top and above) provides a variety of suites with comfortable dining and work areas. The hotel’s 52 rooms have swivel TV units/cocktail bars that are topped with vases of bright green grass. We loved the thought of relaxing on the ostrich-skin ottomans by the floor-to-ceiling windows and drinking in the view of the old townhouses and Fuxing Park with Pudong’s soaring skyscrapers on the skyline. In rooms, kitchenettes and signature PuDi wines are standard. Guests choose the aromatic essence of their toiletries from a range of exclusive fragrances, and pillows from the eight different types on the 88-item Pillow Menu. We appreciated the large bathrooms, which feature elegant Jacuzzi tubs, two copper bowl sinks, separate shower alcoves and spacious closets. The four PuDi suites are the largest and are ideal for business guests, as they have a small study. There’s also space for a pet bed, which the butler can supply upon request. We found the small vanity tables with mirrors in the eight studio suites a very nice feminine touch. An extra bed can be added to any room, says General Manager Martijn van der Valk (martijn@ boutiquehotel.cc; 86-21-51585888, ext. 111), who adds that the most popular in-room spa treatment is the double-handed aromatherapy massage. At the rooftop restaurant, van der Valk recommends the signature dish, pan-fried Kobe beef. For clients who want only the best, the concierges (01186-21-5158-5888, ext. 300) or duty managers (ext. 301) can book a helicopter flight over the city, luxury private yachts on the Huangpu River or Bentley or Rolls-Royce limousine services, or make arrangements for private jets at Hongqiao airport, 25 minutes away. The Mansion Hotel (www. chinamansionhotel.com), a heritage villa in the old French Concession, was once the clubhouse of China’s most powerful syndicate boss. The large lobby lounge, which is filled with period antiques and old photographs, oozes history and charm. Standard offerings in the high-ceilinged guest rooms include Chinese boiserie king-size beds, armchairs with ottomans, business desks with printer/fax machines, Wi-Fi and cable TV. Bathrooms have marble baths and vanities, bath/showers, Hermès products and Japanese-style combination toilet/bidets with heated seats. Luxury Travel Advisor loved rooms 301 and 303, which look out on the old Russian Orthodox Church. The rooms on the second and third floors are larger, says Assistant Residence Operations Manager Samuel Finnerty (myhotelinchina@hotmail. com; 011-86-21-5403-9888, ext. 8888). Contact Samuel or General Manager Dean Yin (ext. 8887) for special requests, and plan to book three months ahead for October and during FI China and Moto Grand Prix events. For clients who want an adventuresome stay, ask concierge Emilio (011-86-21-5403-9888) to set up a ballooning excursion over Shanghai or a sidecar tour of the city. The fifth-floor Skyline restaurant, with stunning cityscape views, has an eclectic menu and, we hear, the city’s best seafood. 88 Xintiandi (www.88xin tiandi.com) is in Shanghai’s buzzing entertainment district. Luxury Travel Advisor loved the mix of traditional Chinese and contemporary décor in its 53 suites, particularly 616 and 701, which have two bedrooms and separate living rooms. Affluent travelers may not be too enamored of the small bathrooms—they have WCs and bathtubs—but will appreciate the quality fittings and Aignier toiletries. Many will also appreciate the hotel’s 237-foot indoor pool and large gym. Note: Request one of the 18 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | June 2008 http://www.88xintiandi.com http://www.88xintiandi.com http://www.chinamansionhotel.com http://www.chinamansionhotel.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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