One of Shanghai’s latest five-star hotels, Gran Melia Shanghai has opened, offering visitors an Hispanic option in a city that will see a further surge of hotel rooms before the unveiling of Shanghai Expo later this year.
The 686-room hotel, flagship brand of the Spanish Sol Melia group in China, is located in the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone in Pudong. The area is about 40 minutes from the Pudong International Airport.
Gran Melia Shanghai has an executive floor with 119 junior suites, 12 superior suites, a presidential suite and an imperial suite. Room facilities with the business traveller in mind include flat-screen TVs with satellite programming, a separate working desk with IDD and fax lines, computer connections and voicemail, high-speed internet with WiFi, a security safe, a mini bar, tea and coffee service, as well as 24-hour room service. A VIP floor, the Red Level, offers an exclusive registration area, breakfast, cocktails, and access to the private Red Level leisure area.
Given its location in the heart of one of Asia’s burgeoning business districts, the hotel has substantial business facilities and meeting space for corporate events. Its business centre provides wireless internet, secretarial services, translation, fax and email services. There are also two private meeting rooms, a pillarless ballroom for 800 people and 14 other multifunction rooms accommodating between 20 and 150 people.
Food and beverage options include a coffee shop, Spanish, Chinese and Italian restaurants, a club and champagne bar a Cuban-style Havana Night cabaret bar. Leisure facilities include a fitness centre and Melia’s signature YHI spa.
Among the luxury properties opening in Shanghai within the next 18 months or so are the InterContinental Puxi, Shanghai and The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong. Langham Hotels have two Eaton Luxe properties opening, the first the Eaton Luxe Nanqiao opens this year and Eaton Luxe Xinqiao Shanghai will start operations in 2011.
Grand Melia Shanghai is the group's first major development in some time. Other Melia properties in Asia are located in Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Kenny Coyle
