2. • In keeping with its status as a rising global superpower,
China is showing off its new wealth with an increasing
number of landmark buildings.
• But this could be the most incredible yet. The 27-storey
Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, looms over the skyline
of Huzhou, near Shanghai, in the shape of a massive
glowing dounut.
• Set on the shores of Lake Taihu and offering 321 spacious
guest rooms, including 44 suites and 39 villas, it's an ideal
destination for China's newly affluent business class
3. Big glowing doughnut: The 27-storey Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, looms over the skyline
4. China in the 21st Century: A classic Chinese junk sails the waters of Lake Taihu as the Sheraton
5. 'Ga
Offering 321 guest rooms, including 44 suites and 39 villas, the hotel is an ideal destination for
China's newly affluent business class
6. At just seven degrees north of the Tropic of Cancer, Huzhou has a subtropical monsoon climate
and an average annual temperature of 12.2-16.1C
7. Imperial splendour: The lobby of the Sheraton Huzhou is lit by 20,000 Swarovski and European natural crystal
lamps arranged in a wave-like formation across its ceiling. The floor is paved with Afghan White Jade and
Tiger's Eye Stone from Brazil
8. Known as 'The City of Silk', the ancient metropolis
is situated on the southern shores of Lake Taihu in
the northern part of Zheijang Province. It is hailed
as the birthplace of the Far East's famous tea
culture.
Guests to the Sheraton Huzhou will stay in the
most opulent surroundings
9. Luxury: Another view of the hotel's sumptuous lounge, which is decorated with beautiful Chinese
art including this magnificent sculpture
10. Grand: The lobby lounge of the Sheraton Huzhou is an ideal spot to meet over coffee or cocktails
11. Ultra modern: The Sheraton Huzhou's Feast Signature restaurant, where guests can enjoy classic
dishes from an international menu in luxurious surroundings
12. Al fresco dining: On hot days diners at the Feast restaurant can enjoy their meals on this beautiful terrace
13. Traditional: The Yue Chinese restaurant, where guests can enjoy the finest in local cuisine
14. A private dining room of the Yue restaurant that would be ideal for high-powered business
dinners with movers and shakers in China's vibrant industrial economy
15. While the hotel, which is designed by Beijing-born architect Ma Yanson, appears in the
shape of a horseshoe the bottom ends are in fact connected by two basement levels.
The ostentatious lobby is lit by 20,000 Swarovski and European natural crystal lamps
arranged in a wave-like formation across its ceiling, while the flor is paved with Afghan
White Jade and Tiger's Eye Stone from Brazil.
There are three restaurants, catering for tastes both domestic and international, each
with private rooms, and informal liaisons can be conducted over cocktails of coffee in
one of the two lounges
16. Just look: One of the hotel's deluxe twin rooms, complete with panoramic views over Lake Taihu
17. First-class comfort: The sitting room of one of the Sheraton Huzhou's Club Suites, again with floor
to ceiling fenestration looking out over the lake
18. Perfect for a romantic getaway: Junks sail past in the morning mist, as seen through the windows
of one of the hotel's luxurious Studio Suites
19. Two double beds in one of the Sheraton Huzhou's Twin Premier Rooms. Each room includes a private balcony, a large
work desk with an ergonomic chair, High Speed Internet Access, an LCD flat screen television, and an iPod docking station
20. Clean and well-appointed: A King Premier Room. Other features of the accommodation include walk-in
wardrobes, in-room safes, ironing boards and wake-up and housekeeping services
21. A guest bathroom in one of the resort's suites: Decorated in marble, they include sunken
22. Each of the Sheraton Huzhou's guest rooms includes a private balcony, a large work
desk with an ergonomic chair, High Speed Internet Access, an LCD flat screen
television, and an iPod docking station.
Suites boast marble bathrooms complete with sunken bathtubs and walk-in
'rainforest' showers.
While the hotel, like much of what is going on in China, seems geared towards
businessmen, with vast and well-equipped conference facilities and 16 meeting spaces
covering a total of 2,200sq/m.
Sheraton boasted: 'The Grand Ballroom is ideal for large, lavish gatherings or
conferences. Private meeting rooms on the 22nd floor offer a heightened level of
exclusivity, while the best lake view can be appreciated from the 300-square-meter
multipurpose Taihu Room on the 27th floor.
'The resort’s event facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology,
and our planning and banquet teams will work with you on every detail.'
23. Time for a dip: The indoor swimming pool, part of a fully featured fitness and spa complex within
the Sheraton Huzhou
24. Cardio and resistance training machines in the hotel's fully equipped gym, because high-powered
guests work best after a workout
25. Be pampered: The intimate surroundings of one of the hotel's spa treatment rooms, where guests can
enjoy massages and, no doubt, traditional holistic Chinese procedures like acupuncture
26. Guests can book in for treatments at the resort's holistic spa, which features a steam room,
saunas and a range of hydrotherapy pools. A fitness centre offers gym equipment, aerobics
classes and massage treatments.
Sheraton said in a statement: 'The hotel’s numerous facilities are designed to help you stay busy
or relax. Keep in touch with home and the office via complimentary High Speed Internet Access;
our business centre offers additional support services.
'Maintain your workout regimen at our modern fitness centre, featuring state-of-the-art
machines, cardiovascular equipment, and a stretch area, or take a refreshing dip in our indoor or
outdoor pools.
'Within a haven of tranquillity, pamper yourself with a treatment in our holistic Shine Spa for
Sheraton. Choose from a range of treatments that have originated throughout the world.'
27. The Grand Ballroom with banquet set up, part of conference and meeting spaces at the Sheraton
28. The Grand Ballroom with classroom set up is pictured left.
Right shows the luxurious foyer to the Grand Ballroom
29. Business-oriented: Salon 9 at the Sheraton Huzhou with Reception Setup. The resort ‘s event facilities are equipped with
state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, and our planning and banquet teams will work with clients on every detail
30. Gather the members of the board of directors: The Sheraton's Salon 7 with a U-shape desk
configuration that would be perfect for high-powered meetings
31. The Sheraton Huzhou's 1,600sq/m private wedding island. The hotel employs a full time wedding
coordinator to help them guests ensure their big day goes smoothly
32. Tourists are well catered for too. For guests who want to celebrate a special
day there is a 1,600sq/m private wedding island and a full time wedding
coordinator on hand to help them make sure it all goes smoothly.
And for those who merely want to take in the sites of Huzhou, a city dating
back some 2,300 years, there is the unique 8th-century Feiying Ta Pagoda,
the 14th-century Temple of the Iron Buddha and the Anji Bambbo Museum,
set in beautiful forests showcasing more than 300 species where visitors can
learn about the history and culture of bamboo.
For nature lovers there is also Mogan Mountain; one of China’s best summer
resorts, the picturesque area is filled with wild bamboo, hundreds of springs
and waterfalls, and some 200 villas representing various architectural styles
from all over the world.
33. An ancient door lock on a building in Huzhou. The ancient metropolis dates back some 2,300
years and is hailed as the birthplace of the Far East's famous tea culture
34. Sunset over the water: Visitors can enjoy nature at Lake Taihu. Famous for its limestone formations, this
35. Visitors can enjoy more nature at Lake Taihu. Famous for its limestone formations,
this scenic and popular attraction is China’s third-largest freshwater lake and home to
about 90 islands.
And golfers can play a round at the Huzhou Hot Springs Golf Club, rated the #1 golf
course in China
