Celebrating 7 years of iDEAL life in Shanghai
The 2019 iDEALShanghai Awards honored 72 winners in 16 categories, highlighting the readers’ favorite luxury, business and designer hotels, serviced villas and apartments, gourmet and fashion landmarks.
“The annual iDEALShanghai Awards is a leading guide of fashion, lifestyle and service in Shanghai. It’s highly regarded by government agencies, consulates, chambers of commerce and expat communities. The winners have set new benchmarks in industry with their high-quality service as well as making significant contributions to service industry development in Shanghai and China,” remarked Zhu Jiajian, chief of Shanghai Daily.
Hotels from Qingdao, Xiamen, Sanya, Ningbo, Hangzhou and Chengdu were also honored in this year’s iDEALShanghai Awards.
“The year 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of Shanghai Daily and we’d like to thank everyone for their support, trust and the expectations that motivate us to move forward,” Zhu said.
The 2019 iDEAL Shanghai Awards, held by Shanghai Daily, honors 72 winners in 16 categories, highlighting readers’ favorite luxury, business and designer hotels, serviced villas and apartments, gourmet and fashion landmarks.
iDEALShanghai was created by Shanghai Daily in 2012 to provide living and service information for foreigners in the city, as well as a platform to introduce Shanghai and China to broader audiences.
The iDEALShanghai Awards launched in the same year aims to celebrate businesses and venues that have established a close relationship with the city and its people.
It also presents the opportunity to look at the latest trends and changes in the service industry.
Joct Fang, general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Pudong, noted that Shanghai welcomed more than eight top luxury hotels, most of the brands were settling in the city for the first time, revealing a diversified development of the hotel industry.
“In November 2018, the first China International Import Expo was held in Shanghai, which brought huge business opportunities to the hospitality industry from all over the world. The hotel industry of Shanghai will now lean more toward international business,” said Fang.
Clemens Hoerth, general manager of Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, observed that China has become a pioneer in digital developments, and how Chinese travelers typically obtain information when planning trips has been digitalized and mobilized.
“Child-friendliness becomes the top measurement in impacting Chinese family’s travel choices. We see more and more Chinese guests are hyper-connected travelers who expect an absolutely seamless connectivity in their daily lives,” he said.
Timothy O’Driscoll, general manager of The Westin Bund Center Shanghai, noted that Shanghai continues to establish itself as a global power city, and what’s trending is that the digital platforms are influencing and playing bigger roles between the consumers and venues.
“People are thirsty for more lifestyle elements and experiences in the hotel and restaurant scene. Environmental and sustainability awareness and practices are becoming increasingly important to both hotel operators and the consumer market. Food safety and healthy choices are desired from our guests and need to be promoted in our hotels,” said O’Driscoll.
Meanwhile in the serviced villa and apartment sector, both the supply and demand in the Shanghai market has flourished. The leasing system continuously improves and policies have been introduced to establish standards in the market.
Claire Gu, assistant general leasing manager of K. Wah (China) Investment Limited, says the demand for high-quality apartment rental is growing, and the property’s competitiveness will be reflected in better design, decoration and services.
“K. Wah (China) Investment Limited has over 60 years’ experience in the real estate industry with projects running in China, Southeast Asia and North America. Our serviced apartments in Shanghai aim to create a high-quality ‘homes away from home’ for our tenants, and the detailed designs can cater to the needs of different families, the apartments are also in prime locations to make life more convenient,” said Gu.
On contemporary lifestyle, brand image and quality development
Clemens Hoerth
General manager of Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
“Our guests and apartment residents enjoy a contemporary lifestyle that embraces the peaceful environment of a luxury riverside setting aimed at creating an “urban resort” for the weekend leisure market. Guests will also find trendsetting Michelin-starred dining experience presented by two of the region’s most exciting chefs — Tony Lu and Richard Ekkebus. Our award-winning spa offers guests Mandarin Oriental’s renowned signature therapies and advanced beauty and holistic wellness treatments within a soothing Zen oasis. Regardless of the changing market, what remains unchanged is the group’s mission of discreet and personalized service. Every Mandarin Oriental hotel is committed to exceeding guests’ expectations on a daily basis, Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai strives to deliver that in an ever-changing market.
Timothy O’Driscoll
General manager of The Westin Bund Center Shanghai
“Westin Bund has been successful servicing local and international guest for over 16 years in Shanghai. We have established strong reputation of delivering quality in our restaurants, meetings facilities, and is a favorite among the residents of Shanghai.
Today, our guest expectation toward the hotel experience is more than simple catering and accommodation. Westin’s ‘Well-being’ brand image always catches the lifestyle trendy with distinctive brand programs. No matter what obstacles travel puts between our guests and their well-being, our signature wellness programs are thoughtfully designed to empower them to stay in control and soar above it all. Westin Bund is a place where guests can maintain their well-being.
Joct Fang
General manager of Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Pudong
“Our hotel owns an excellent location — we are only five-minute walking distance to the Central Avenue metro station, an interchange station of four metro lines, by which you can travel to Shanghai Railway Station, Hongqiao Railway Station, Hongqiao and Pudong airports directly. We have high performance price ratio and we own the advanced management guidance from Marriott Group.In 2019, we plan to conduct a large-scale renovation for both 180 guest rooms and the lobby, which is intended to be divided into day & night concept.
Claire Gu
Assistant general leasing manager of K. Wah (China) Investment Limited
“K. Wah (China) Investment Limited sticks to a quality-oriented development strategy. We thrive to make every project better and better in order to provide high-quality living experience for the tenants. We’ve launched the personal butler service to ensure every tenant can solve any problem he or she encounter immediately. We plan to introduce a new serviced apartment brand Citta Residences in 2019, a property that we hope will bring more excitement to the market.
