HANGZHOU, CHINA—The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has opened The Azure Qiantang, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hangzhou, in the capital of China’s Zhejiang province.
With the openings of The Azure Qiantang and more recently The Castle Hotel in Dalian, The Luxury Collection brand includes six hotels as part of its distinguished portfolio in China, including the Astor Hotel in Tianjin, Twelve at Hengshan and The Hongta Hotel in Shanghai, and The Royal Begonia in Sanya.
Situated along the Qiantang River, The Azure Qiantang was designed by architect Pierre-Yves Rochon. The hotel uses a blue glass colored structure, which showcases design elements that reference the surging waves of the Qiantang River.
The Azure Qiantang is named after “Memories of the South,” a masterpiece written by renowned Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi. The hotel offers 205 guestrooms and suites, all with views of the Qiantang River. The hotel is equipped with a swimming pool, spa and a 24-hour fitness center.
The hotel spa will feature seven treatment rooms and three massage rooms, inspired by five of Hangzhou’s surrounding water elements, including the river, canal, stream, lake, and sea. Signature treatments include the “Enchanting Lotus Facial Therapy,” which uses a blend of lotus extracts combined with ingredients rich in anti-oxidant, as well as the “Warm Seashell Bodyworks” which uses special heated seashells on fatigued muscles to provide deep relaxation.
The “five waters” theme also carries throughout the culinary experiences at The Azure Qiantang. The Lan Ting Chinese Restaurant features 14 private dining suites in addition to its main dining hall, including a menu inspired by ingredients from Hangzhou’s lake, river, stream, canal and the sea. Prepared using traditional local methods, dishes such as the “Four Treasures Water-shield Soup” is made with herbs native to the West Lake, and “Steamed Crabs with Chicken Oil and Rice Wine” is made with fresh crabs sourced from the nearby sea shore.