The Westin Xian – Modern Design in an Ancient Setting (China)
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The Westin Xian – Modern Design in an Ancient Setting (China)
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Category: Asia Pacific - China - Industry economy -
Hotel opening
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2012-02-03
Opening in early February, The Westin Xian is a modern urban haven in ancient Xian
The Westin Xian today unveils design details of the hotel, introducing a thoughtful, modern design to this storied location with deep roots in China’s ancient civilization. The design by the renowned Neri & Hu Design Research Office of Shanghai reflects both the city’s prominence as the heart of Chinese civilization and its importance in the burgeoning growth of the region. Upon its opening in early February, 2012, The Westin Xian will be a haven of modern comfort and refined Chinese hospitality.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to the Westin Xian – a beautiful sanctuary that is a modern bridge between the past and present,” said Magdy Anis, General Manager of The Westin Xian. “Our guests will enjoy hospitality that is rooted in ancient Chinese values, as well as a host of wonderful, enriching amenities – including an onsite cultural museum – that will provide our guests with a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.”
The Westin Xian features a complex of four buildings that are clustered around an 860 square-meter tranquil outdoor garden with a sunken water feature. The hotel will comprise 300 spacious guest rooms and 29 suites, several restaurants and lounges, a Heavenly Spa by Westin, a state-of-the-art fitness facility with an indoor swimming pool, and large banquet and conference facilities. In addition, The Westin Xian will be the first Westin in the world – and the only hotel in Xian – with its own museum, which will pay tribute to Xian’s important role in the ancient history of China.
The elegant architecture and interior design by the Chinese firm of Neri & Hu Design Research Office strikes a harmonious balance between Xian’s ancient past, present and future. With 3,100 years of history embedded in the layers of the city, Xian is not merely a formidable backdrop to the design itself; it has also provided the architects with design inspirations that inextricably link this past to the future. The exterior design takes its cues from the heavy monumentality of Xian’s city center and city walls completed during the 9th Century Tang Dynasty which, with Xian as its capital, was considered the golden age of Chinese history. This heaviness is offset by fresh, contemporary elements and outdoor spaces that lighten up the property and reinforce the sense of peace and wellbeing.
The Westin Xian is located directly across from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a 900 year-old architectural masterpiece that is the oldest and highest wooden structure in China, and regarded as the world’s first pagoda. Its location across from this key cultural icon informed the design of the buildings themselves. The four main buildings are constructed of stone and stucco roofs and laid out in a sprawling rectangular compound. Each building has massive skylights that create intimate public courtyards that are light-filled pools of tranquility. The long, narrow windows of most guest rooms are uniquely angled to view the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, creating a focal reference point that frames both location and culture. The entire assemblage of buildings is surrounded by a reflective pool of water, leaving the impression of a building that is suspended in an infinite sky.
The hotel’s dramatic entry includes a sweeping set of stairs that bring visitors down two levels into a large sunken garden that is the heart of the project. The hotel’s main public spaces are at this subterranean, sun-filled level, reflecting two of the major cultural attractions in Xian: the Banpo Village and the Terracotta Warriors. The sunken garden features a romantic water pavilion and special lighting effects and lanterns that, in the evening, evoke the feeling of a garden under the stars.
The Westin Xian’s Lobby Lounge welcomes guests with a quiet, relaxing ambiance highlighted by beautiful views of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda through the large picture window. The Lounge bar offers 97 seats and plush, comfortable sofas and chairs. The décor is grounded in neutral colors with strong classic and modern accents, like a forged iron hanging lamp that is offset by modern arrangements of flowers and candles.
The Westin Xian will be home to the Xian Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts which will house an exceptional collection of over 2,000 antiquities and artifacts, including more than 80 Chinese mural paintings from 15 provinces that depict China’s rich history through the different dynasties. The museum will also feature the world’s only gold suit of armor and a rare tone Buddha head nearly one meter high dating back to the Northern Qi Dynasty. Located on the lower ground floor directly across from the sunken garden, the 4,200 sqm museum is designed specifically to showcase the murals, with each afforded its own wall that is reflective of individuality of each work of art.
The guest rooms and suites at The Westin are the largest in Xian, ranging in size between 45 and 135 sqm. An urban sanctuary designed to promote rest and relaxation, the guest rooms feature sleek contemporary interior design that incorporates soothing earth tones and natural materials. Rich, dark wood floors complement the wood-framed furnishings and tie in with the Great Wild Goose Pagoda, which is visible through the long, narrow windows. The wall coverings are made from natural materials, and a plush, woolen carpet supports the Westin signature Heavenly bed. Each room is appointed with the most modern amenities, including a flat screen LCD television, rainforest shower, extra-large closets and a personal refreshment center.
The Westin Xian will offer a variety of epicurean experiences with four distinct dining venues with designs that reflect their offerings. Zen5es is the signature Chinese restaurant, designed as a free-standing building which caps off the sunken garden on the West side. The entire building is expressed as a floating Mansard roof, dropping so low it appears to only be slightly hovering off the ground. Dormer windows on each side to provide light, and the structure of the roof is exposed on the interior and lined with a screen, giving a rich, textured feel inside the restaurant. The 15 luxurious private dining rooms feature vertical cuts through the “roof” ceiling, bringing unexpected light and views to the dining experience.
The concept for the Japanese-influenced Mai restaurant is derived from the stage of Kabuki theater, where actors surround the audience and perform in the round. In this restaurant, the main circulation paths are elevated around the perimeter like a stage. Diners in the sunken area are in the audience, and servers and passersby are performers on the elevated walkways. Similarly, the design of Seasonal Tastes continues this theme of performance and display with glass-encased dining and buffet areas in the center of the space. Similar to an outdoor marketplace, the food and the dining is the focal point of the space.
More than 2,300 sqm of modern function space is available for special events, meetings and celebrations. The vast 1,490sqm pillarless Grand Ballroom is one of Xian’s largest indoor event spaces and features seven meter-high ceilings. The walls are encased and surrounded with a bronze screen with dark blue glass. Thousands of twinkling lights descend from dozens of chandeliers resembling suspended Chinese lanterns. In its entirety, the room can accommodate up to 1,500 guests, but can be easily divided to accommodate smaller events.
The peaceful Heavenly Spa and WestinWORKOUT fitness facility are designed to touch and elevate all the senses, inspired by the seven Pillars of Wellness: Beauty; Life Balance; Harmony; Aqua; Vitality; Nature and Nutrition. The ten private spa treatment rooms all revolve around the “spa within a spa” concept, replete with personal bath and changing areas, as well as signature Heavenly Spa massage beds and luxurious infinity tub. The treatment rooms are named for variety of flora: Tulip, Geranium, Orchid and Magnolia, among others. The Spa includes an additional Aquatherapy Suite, equipped with a Dermalife spa jet and rainforest showers.
The Westin Xian Workout is designed with sleek hardwood floors to accommodate a full range of fitness options by Life Fitness to suit all types of workout routines, including running, walking, cycling and weights. Satellite televisions are available in the gym and on every cardio machine, for catching up with the news during your routine.
About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 150 hotels and resorts in more than 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1071 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1071 properties in 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.
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