Hotels lay on VIP treatment for UK PM’s visit
Tradition and luxury welcome British leader on three-day trip, China Daily reports.
With British Prime Minister Theresa May in a whirl of activities during her visits to Wuhan, Shanghai and Beijing this week, the hoteliers serving her delegation were also in the limelight.
Wanda Reign Wuhan was the first hotel to receive the United Kingdom’s prime minister on her three-day visit to China starting on Wednesday.
“We are very proud to host UK Prime Minister Theresa May and the delegation,” said Sam Chin, general manager of the hotel in Wuhan.
The capital of Hubei province and Manchester in the UK both serve as an industrial hub in their respective countries, and became sister cities in 1986. Currently, the number of UKfunded businesses has topped 300 in the Chinese city.
“We hope there will be more and more collaboration between the UK and Chinese companies,” Chin said.
Located at the East Lake Scenic Area in Wuhan, the landmark hotel boasts breathtaking views, which are partially reflected on a huge embossed mural in the hotel’s lobby hall.
The spectacular landscape sculpture decoration on the wall spans 60 meters across and stands 10 meters high. It is made of white marble, Chinese jade and gold threading, and inspired by the East Lake’s scenery. Using more than 200 metric tons of jade stones, the creation took 20 art masters, as well as more than 100 skilled workers, 500 days to complete.
“This is beautiful,” May said about the artwork called East Lake Views. “I was in West Lake of Hangzhou and I am now in East Lake of Wuhan.” The prime minister visited West Lake when she attended the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in 2016.
The suite she stayed in on the 32nd floor at Wanda Reign Wuhan provides a bird’s-eye view of East Lake.
“It is a great honor to welcome the government leaders and show them Chinese hospitality even in small details like a pastry set up,” Chin said.
The hotel’s culinary team prepared a chocolate board named Her Excellence with a tiny chocolate copy of the British flag.
The pastry mix they presented to the prime minister included both British-style cakes and signature local refreshments, including individual sherry trifles, and rice and sesame jelly candy.
Inna Ignatenko from Russia, who served May as a private butler at Wanda Reign Wuhan, showcased the hotel’s Reign butler service. It combines Chinese hospitality with British service traditions to provide bespoke personal assistance throughout a guests entire stay, including schedule management, nutritional advice and shopping guidance.
With high-tech amenities and branded services, the hotel received Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, President of Democratic Republic of the Congo Joseph Kabila in 2015.
“Wanda Reign Wuhan has extensive experience in hosting high-end events and conventions,” Chin said. “We are opening our arms to welcome more guests from all over the world.”
On the Beijing leg on Thursday, it was Kerry Hotel Beijing’s turn. Kerry Hotel, a five-star brand of the Shangri-La family, was launched in Beijing in 2011 and is defined by a spirited style and a careful attentiveness that bestows a sense of individuality, according to the hotel.
At the Beijing hotel, inspiring pieces of art complement the intricate beauty of the hotel’s interior design, not to mention Centro, an iconic award-winning bar at the heart of Beijing’s nightlife scene.
Artistic designs, stylish rooms, a well equipped sports complex and culinary delights offered at the hotel all help to relieve the pressure from a tight schedule.
When the May-headed delegation moved to Shanghai on Friday, InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin became their last destination for accommodation, which evolved from the State Guest House of Shanghai serving foreign leaders and international dignitaries.
The century-old storied property blends British architecture and the classic ambience of 1930s Shanghai. It served as the wedding venue for then leader of the Kuomintang regime Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling in 1927 and was the residence of the first Shanghai Mayor Chen Yi after the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949.
Former UK prime minister David Cameron also stayed at the hotel when he was in office on a visit to China in 2013.
Other dignitaries who contribute to the hotel’s legend included former US president Richard Nixon and Britain’s Prince William.
Also on Friday, Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong met UK Prime Minister May at Radisson Blu Plaza Xingguo Hotel Shanghai, where they discused enhancing cooperation.
If you go