Alongside busy shops and trendy restaurants on the edge of the city’s leafy green Wulin Square rises a gleaming new tower crowned by the now open Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre.
“With each new Four Seasons hotel, we push the possibilities even further as we develop unique concepts that reflect both location and local culture, offered with the thousand heartfelt touches that create a truly memorable experience,” says Rainer Stampfer, President, Global Operations, Hotels and Resorts. “Here in Hangzhou, as we celebrate the opening of a second Four Seasons in the city, we also mark the continued growth of our diverse – and growing – collection of luxury hotels across China.”
Remarks Arthur Ho, General Manager of the new Four Seasons, “With the Grand Canal just steps away, we are connected to centuries of Chinese history, and within our new building, we are at the centre of this city’s future. Here, we welcome guests from near and far to come together in the pulse of Hangzhou, and to experience the city in ways they might never have before.”
Welcome to Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre
The Hotel’s 188 guest rooms and 26 suites, beautifully designed by Avalon Collective, all offer elevated views from the 19th to 29th floors, sweeping across the city, the Grand Canal and out over West Lake, where a second Four Seasons in the city is located. Featuring a modern interpretation of classic Chinese design motifs, room are light and airy, with at-one’s-fingertips technology and numerous thoughtful details designed to envelop guests in luxurious comfort and sophisticated style.
And, beginning in late September, all suite guests will be invited to the Executive Club lounge, where refreshments are available throughout the day, and a boardroom is also available on a complimentary basis for one hour per stay, subject to availability. Additional benefits will be revealed soon.
Destination Dining and Drinking
The new Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre introduces four unique dining and drinking concepts to the city, including three restaurants designed by AB Concepts that are now open, and a fabulous rooftop bar designed by Kokai Studio to debut later this fall.
With freshness at its core, Song 颂 showcases the culinary creativity of Chinese Executive Chef Neal Zeng, who comes into the city from Michelin-starred Jin Sha at the Hotel’s sister property on the shores for West Lake. It is a modern temple to Ningbo cuisine, which features seasonal seafood delights from the nearby Jiangsu and Zhejiang coasts. More than 200 New and Old World wines have been sommelier-selected to enhance a menu that includes signature dishes such a Marinated Soft-Boiled Egg with Crab Meat and Rice Wine; Simmered Yellow Croaker Soup with Preserved Vegetables; and Braised Pork with Nori.
Charm 韵 transforms throughout the day, beginning with an epic international breakfast, followed by classic Western dishes with a seasonal, farm-to-table twist at lunch, and later offering a hot pot experience like no other. Led by Executive Chef Jerome Deconinck, whose experience includes kitchens in Shenzhen, Macau and most recently at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, the interactive, Cantonese-style hot pots add the finest seafood and beef cuts to carefully prepared broths along with a touch of Chef Sheng Lin’s secret seasoning.
Just off the 10th floor lobby of the Hotel is The Lounge 桂, and elegant setting for cozy afternoon teas and after-work cocktails. In addition to crafting exquisite creations for all the Hotel’s restaurants and The Lounge’s afternoon tea sets, Executive Pastry Chef Billy Xu presents an open display of treats to enjoy inside, out on the Sky Garden, or on the go, including his signature French madeleines.
More to come: Later this fall, at the much-anticipated Stars 繁星, Head Bartender William Zhu and his team will concoct libations at this glittering 30th floor bar at the top of Hangzhou Centre. Inspired by ancient astronomers who navigated the oceans, a bar menu highlight will be a modern collection of tiki cocktails, updated with the freshest local ingredients and flavours, and surrounded by the city’s sparkling skyline. Here, guests will also choose from the best Champagnes from around the world.
Integrated Wellness at Four Seasons
The Hotel’s 18th floor Spa and Wellness Centre fuses scientific skincare principles and wellness practices into a range of services. “Our concept is results-driven, proven techniques combined with the time-honoured principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a natural, holistic approach to wellness,” says Spa Director Sabrina Hu. “For example, our smoke-free moxibustion treatment updates the traditional practice of applying dried mugwort to the body by heating rather than burning the plant, resulting in improved blood flow, boosted immune system and overall relaxation.”
The Spa also offers several lymphatic circulation therapies using cutting edge Ballancer technology for a comfortable yet effective result. Other treatments include a range of targeted massages, facials by Kate Somerville, bath and steam experiences, healing through acoustic resonance, and pampering packages for couples.
Four Seasons guests can benefit from guided indoor or outdoor yoga, a private swimming session focussed on form and posture, and Technogym fitness training with a professional coach – in addition to enjoying the 25 x 7 metre (82 x 23 foot) indoor pool and 24/7 fitness facilities at one’s own pace.
A spa membership program is also available for local guests and frequent travellers to the city.
High-Impact Events and Memorable Occasions at Four Seasons
Four Seasons offers a host of opportunities for productive meetings, business events and the splashiest of product launches with 2,900 square metres (31,000 square feet) of indoor event space to choose from. In addition, the Hotel offers the unique Sky Garden with outdoor lawn and activity platform accommodating up to 200 guests. These spaces and abundant backdrops for photography will also turn dreams into a day to remember for wedding couples and their families.
As always at Four Seasons, an expert team of event planners and culinary artists with access to the city’s best suppliers provides attentive service from initial planning through to worry-free execution of every detail. To book a site tour or begin planning an event at Four Seasons, contact 0571-8681 8888.
Exploring Hangzhou and West Lake
There’s so much to see and experience close to Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre, or just a little further afield. The Chief Concierge Xavier Xie recommends starting at the water bus station right across the street and journeying through the city via the Grand Canal. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand Canal offers a unique perspective for exploring the city’s rich history, and taking in its modern wonders.
Also recommended is the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History, integrating popular science, education, research and cultural exchange, providing an interactive experience for visitors of all ages. Just a five-minute walk away, the Zhejiang Science and Technology Museum offers permanent exhibitions spanning subjects ranging from space travel to groundbreaking technologies as well as an array of hands-on activities that blend learning with fun. The Hotel’s concierge team can arrange an all-inclusive outing to both museums.
Twice as Nice: Secluded on willow-kissed shores just 15 minutes by car but a world away is Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake. Dinner at Michelin-starred Jin Sha is a must, or book an extra day or two to take in more of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of West Lake when visiting the city, or indulging in the ultimate staycation.