Noblesse par excellence: a visit to The Peninsula Shanghai luxury
resort
Kaldewei’s Centre Duo Oval for the new hotel icon
At the end of March this year, The Peninsula Hotel Group opened a new luxury
resort right on the historic Bund, the elegant riverside promenade along the
Huangpu River, with views of the gardens of the former British Consulate and the
skyline of Pudong. The Peninsula Shanghai is not only the first new building to be
built on the famous promenade in 60 years, but is also one of Shanghai’s most
luxurious hotels. Designed as a new landmark for 21st century Shanghai, the 5-star
establishment offers its visitors luxury combined with stylish elegance. With an
interior concept that is based on exquisite details and materials, this new
establishment is most definitely an eye-catcher de luxe. And part of this luxurious
ambience is due to the exclusive baths by the premium bathroom company
Kaldewei.
Charming play with contrasts
Shanghai’s oldest hotel business, Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd., returns to
its roots with the construction of The Peninsula Shanghai: the parent company of
Peninsula Hotels laid the foundation stone for the company with a number of
glamorous hotels at the beginning of the last century. The new 14-storey resort in
Shanghai is the first one of its kind in the metropolis on the Huangpu River.
Architecturally inspired by the Art Deco style of the 1920s and 30s and the “Golden
Age” – to which the city belonged as the “Paris of the East” – the superior hotel sets
new standards and embodies elegant hospitality. Embedded against an elegant
backdrop of history and modernity, historic Colonial buildings and futuristic
skyscrapers, The Peninsula Shanghai blends stylishly with its neighbouring
buildings. This design is continued is the carefully prepared interior concept. The
vast expanse of the hotel lobby appeals for the amazing height of the ceiling and
the black marble, and as the heart of the hotel sets the tone for the rest of the
building. Between the massive cream-coloured pillars and beneath the breathtaking
chandeliers is the perfect setting for the typical “Peninsula Afternoon Tea” and
other tasty delights. With a total of five gourmet restaurants, the establishment
offers a wide range of culinary experiences. Further highlights: the ultra modern
banqueting area, elegant two-storey arcade of shops with exclusive boutiques, and
the hotel’s own fleet of Rolls Royces. Guests will find the ultimate in relaxation in
the hotel’s 1250-m² Peninsula Spa by ESPA with VIP suites – spectacular views of
the Shanghai skyline included!
Well-being atmosphere, luxury ambience
The 180 comfortable rooms and 55 suites also offer breathtaking views. They
combine traditional Peninsula-standard luxury with historic elements, and provide
the perfect stylish setting for discerning guests. Measuring a minimum of 54 m², the
rooms are among the most spacious in all Shanghai, and surprise with the
resourceful use of space. Rooms are easily divided into sleeping and living areas,
bathroom and dressing room with the easy-to-use sliding elements. Light pastel
colours and carefully selected materials create a pleasant ambience. Dramatic
contrasting accents are provided by an impressive wall unit and desk in shiny black.
The interior is complemented by a rich offer of modern technical equipment and
spacious walk-in wardrobe with an integrated dressing table and valet box.
Luxurious bathroom concept for discerning hotel guests
The bathroom is the undeniable jewel of the facilities, and has been skilfully and
sympathetically designed as a haven of peace and tranquillity. The bathroom design
appeals on the same level as the rest of the hotel with its balanced composition of
luxurious and modern style elements. The contrasting, harmonious combination of
light stone with ornamentation and dark marble in the private wellness landscape
provides visual accents, and is the perfect place to rest and relax. The focal point of
the room is the Centro Duo Oval bath from the Avantgarde series by the luxury
designer Kaldewei, from where the occupant can watch with ease the flatscreen TV
that is set in the wall. After the Ahlen-based premium supplier fitted The Peninsula
in Tokyo with a total of 320 baths in 2007, The Peninsula Shanghai is now adorned
with a total of 228 baths from the Centro Duo Oval series as the stylish and
harmonious enhancement of the design language in the bathroom. In this setting,
the baths demonstrate a puristic simplicity and simple elegance as sophisticated
elements in a stylish interior concept, adding luxurious accents and offering the
ultimate in exclusive comfort. Two matching sloping backrests and a central outlet
are perfect for relaxing and unrestricted bathing pleasure either alone or à deux.
The experience can be further intensified by the gentle music and lighting effects of
the Spa programme that is integrated in the bath.
At home in the world’s best hotels
By furnishing the bathrooms in The Peninsula Shanghai, Kaldewei has once again
emphasised its competence as the supplier of high quality hotel bathrooms all over
the world. The baths, shower trays and whirl baths in 3.5-mm steel enamel appeal
for the perfect interplay between unique function and quality and their high design
standards. The robust, easy-care surface of the baths means that they continue to
look as good as on the first day even after many years’ use. They are also extremely
resistant to acid, scratch- and wear-resistant. If desired, baths can have the pearl
effect finish, which significantly reduces the time and effort involved with cleaning
them. And hoteliers can offer their guests additional safety with the non-slip enamel
finish. This material competence, teamed with innovative design and the use of
recyclable materials, makes Kaldewei baths the focal points and key elements in
modern quality bathrooms on the international hotel scene. As illustrated here in
the new Peninsula Shanghai, they become part of an exclusive environment and
encourage guests to luxuriate in extensive, simply perfect bathing pleasure.
Source: Franz Kaldewei GmbH & Co. KG. Copy requested.
Captions:
The Peninsula Hotel Group opened a new luxury resort with views of the former
British Consulate and the skyline of Pudong at the end of March this year. Designed
as a new landmark for 21st century Shanghai, the 5-star establishment offers its
visitors luxury combined with stylish elegance. And part of this luxurious ambience
is due to the exclusive baths by the premium bathroom company Kaldewei.
The bathroom is the undeniable jewel of the facilities, and has been skilfully and
sympathetically designed as a haven of peace and tranquillity. The bathroom design
appeals on the same level as the rest of the hotel with its balanced composition of
luxurious and modern style elements. The focal point in the room is the Centro Duo
Oval bath from the Avantgarde series by the luxury bathroom designer Kaldewei. In
this setting, it reveals a puristic simplicity and simple elegance that make it a
sophisticated element in a stylish interior concept.
Kaldewei bath Centro Duo Oval