MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS

Guangzhou, China (April 16, 2008) /China Newswire/ — From the moment a visitor steps through its theatrical threshold, there is very little about the new Grand Hyatt Guangzhou that does not pique the visual sense. A huge slab of sandstone forms one wall and is set with warmly illuminated windows; a wall of glass looks out over a park, a green oasis in this neighbourhood; and an indoor bamboo garden is strikingly intersected by a glass bridge above it. It is not merely hype when the renowned California-based architect responsible for the hotel, Peter Remedios, calls his latest project, scheduled to open in spring 2008, "an architectural tour de force".

Situated in Guangzhou's new central business district of Tianhe – whose English name is Pearl River New Town – Grand Hyatt Guangzhou is located in one wing of a brand new streamlined twin-tower building. The hotel's understated façade contains cutting-edge new architectural features and interior design devised by Remedios, who has won accolades for his work on Grand Hyatt Tokyo, among other hotel projects. This is the first international hotel in Guangzhou to feature a "sky lobby" located 22 floors up; like many other areas in the hotel, it offers expansive views across the Pearl River and Tianhe CBD.

But it is the South China-inspired lobby area that creates such a dazzling first impression. "I wanted the feeling to be as if you were walking into a traditional Chinese village at dusk – so lighting glows," explains Remedios. "There is a sense of bringing the outside indoors with the bamboo, and a dramatic use of materials with the rocks and glass. This all creates a metaphysical sense of welcome."

The hotel's 375 guestrooms have been designed with simplicity of line, colour tone and function, while using luxurious materials and textures. One immediately noticeable feature in the rooms is the bathroom island – incorporating a separate soaking tub and rain shower – which is a focal point. "It can be open and as sexy as you want, or closed off for privacy," Remedios says. "Good design is all about having choices."

Work stations incorporate high-speed broadband Internet access and universal adaptors, and an in-room iPod docking station is also standard. A specially designed inset wall frame allows a 37-inch multi-channel LCD flat-screen TV to be neatly stored flush with the wall and swung out when required for viewing from certain angles.

Premium personalised service is offered at The Grand Club, located on the 20th floor. Here, privileges include express check-in, complimentary continental breakfast, European high tea, evening cocktails, as well as soft drinks, tea and coffee and other refreshments served throughout the day in its exclusive lounge.

All restaurants and bars feature magnificent sweeping city views. The Penthouse, Grand Hyatt Guangzhou's signature Chinese restaurant, perches high above street level over two floors. Here, 13 luxurious, residential-style private dining suites, each with dedicated butlers, offer authentic Cantonese cuisine.

Then there is G, a restaurant and bar where Western fare focuses on premium seafood and meat cooked in wood-fired ovens. Its dynamic top-tier show kitchen and quality menu make it another Guangzhou benchmark.

The Market Cafe features live kitchen stations where diners get to stroll through a stretch of international food stalls and choose their made-to-order personal selection. Chinese, Japanese and European cuisine is prepared fresh and served directly to the diner from the cooking stations. Additional fresh buffet selections are also available.

The Guanxi Lounge located on a suspended bridge that connects the building's two towers serves cocktails, tea and coffee, and light dining and tea-time menus.

On the third floor, the hotel's three interconnecting sections of the Grand Ballroom can be augmented by fully enclosed VIP and bridal rooms. Six function rooms have been given a residential feel, and a boardroom and Business Centre are also on the same level.

Vibrant artwork here, sourced by reputed Hong Kong-based consultant Sandra Walters, is as striking as elsewhere in the hotel, and reflects aspects of both traditional and modern Southern China.

Beyond stylish looks and cutting-edge comfort, though, Grand Hyatt Guangzhou puts a firm emphasis on service. "Grand Hyatt Guangzhou's vision is to have the warmest, friendliest and most gracious employees of all the hotels in Guangzhou," declares general manager Paul Hugentobler.

Grand Hyatt Guangzhou will be the fourth Grand Hyatt hotel in mainland China, following Grand Hyatt hotels in Beijing and Shanghai.

Hyatt currently operates 10 hotels in Greater China, including Grand Hyatt Beijing, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Hyatt on the Bund, Shanghai, Grand Hyatt Taipei, Hyatt Regency Dongguan, Hyatt Regency Hangzhou, Hyatt Regency Jing Jin City Resort and Spa, Hyatt Regency Tianjin and Hyatt Regency Xian. An additional 12 hotels are under development.

Global Hyatt Corporation, one of the world's premier hotel companies, offers today's travellers more than 750 hotels and resorts (more than 140,000 rooms) in more than 45 countries. The company's affiliates own, operate, manage and franchise Hyatt-branded hotels and resorts under Park Hyatt™, Grand Hyatt™, Hyatt Regency™, Hyatt Resorts™, Hyatt®, Hyatt Place™ and Hyatt Summerfield Suites® brands, as well as the company's newest global luxury brand, Andaz™, which recently opened its first property in London. Global Hyatt Corporation is also the owner of Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Inc. operator of Hyatt Vacation Club and fractional residential properties and U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc, which franchises Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns and Suites. Reservations for any Hyatt hotels worldwide may be obtained by calling your local Hyatt hotel, Hyatt Worldwide Reservations Centre or logging onto www.hyatt.com

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Veronica Wong
  Marketing Communications Manager
  Tel: +86 20 83961234
  Email: veronica.wong@hyatt.com

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