Shangri-La Opens Second Kerry Hotel

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will open its second Kerry Hotel on 19 November 2011.

Marking the completion of the first phase of a multimillion-dollar renovation, Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing will be rebranded as Kerry Hotel, Beijing. It joins its sister hotel, Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai, which launched the brand in February 2011.

With new facilities, amenities and services, Kerry Hotel, Beijing features contemporary Club rooms and suites, a Club lounge, reconfigured lobby and grand ballroom, and is introducing two new dining outlets: Kerry's Kitchen and Kerry's Pantry. In addition, the hotel's iconic Centro bar and lounge has been redesigned for a fresh clean look and added an outdoor bistro-style terrace.

"Kerry Hotels are the next generation of luxury hotels! Vibrant, unpretentious and flexible. We believe that today's traveller wants to engage all senses whether at work or at play. Kerry Hotels have a fresh and energetic vibe and offer some unexpected touches that fuel creativity yet allow time to recharge and relax. Service is less bound by protocol but is enthusiastic and intuitive. Kerry hotels represent passionate hospitality wrapped up in a stylish package and with its renovation, Kerry Hotel, Beijing perfectly embodies those criteria," said Greg Dogan, president and chief executive officer of Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited.

Conveniently linked to lifestyle and entertainment options via a "sky bridge", Kerry Hotel, Beijing sits amongst the head offices of Fortune 100 companies in the heart of Beijing's business district.

Walking through the revolving doors of the hotel, guests are greeted by an onyx and white marbled space adorned with suspended crystal chandeliers by bespoke contemporary light designers Lasvit, abstract art carpets and unconventional ink work.

A Chinese brushstroke video art piece by Japanese artist Shinichi Maruyama is presented on a high-speed digital loop screen at the end wall of the lift lobby. Behind the reception, a dreamlike landscape hand-painted on embroidered silk panels takes pride of place. From across, formed by a spiral of numerous layers of paper-thin optical glass carefully stacked on top of each other, is a sensual yet dynamic glass artwork by award-winning German artist Josepha Gasch-Muche. With every small movement, the refraction of light on glass intensifies, and the art piece reacts as if awakened to life. Crafted by Ricardo Lighting, an eight-metre-high chandelier lends an air of modern sophistication to the open concept lobby. Draping from the ceiling of the second level to the lobby level, this showpiece shimmers parallel to the illuminated staircase, above an 18-metre-long water feature.

"The name Kerry has been part of this hotel's identity since it opened in 1999. The rebranding creates another milestone along with a number of firsts for the group," said Johnson Wong, general manager of Kerry Hotel, Beijing. "Our hotel will be the first to offer a paperless check-in and check-out process and guests are encouraged to receive their invoices electronically. Another new brand standard is the complimentary minibar service upon arrival in all guestrooms."

As part of Kerry Hotel, Beijing's extensive renovation project, two new dining options present a myriad of culinary options for guests. Both outlets are conceptualised by Japanese design powerhouse Super Potato and Salt.

The hotel's all-day-dining restaurant, Kerry's Kitchen, specialises in authentic Asian cuisine and seats 199 guests. Serving buffet for breakfast and lunch, dinner is purely a la carte with almost 100 dishes pairing perfectly with organic wines, sake, draught beer and other Asian-style beverages. Showcased across several live-cooking stations, passionate kitchen theatrics is matched in spirit by a team of energetic service staff. Natural elements of Izumi stones, wood, clay, sand-finished textured walls and Japanese paper are carefully selected and arranged into a space of tranquillity that offers guests the freedom of just being; relaxed, comfortable and feeling right at home, with flavours and aromas transporting them back to childhood days.

Located adjacent to Kerry's Kitchen, Kerry's Pantry is a gourmet deli, cosy enough to pass time or to grab a quick bite. Self-creation is key with guests deciding on toppings for salads, what goes into their sandwiches or simply how best to personalise a cake. A floor- to-ceiling glass-encased wine display takes pride of place amongst dark-coloured wood and processed scrap metal.

Refreshed and revamped by Pure Creative, the same design company that created Centro eight years ago, the award-winning bar and lounge features a new addition to its seating: an outdoor bistro-style terrace. With an enhanced sound system and visual set‑up, the bar is also refitted with an enlarged table designed for champagne bottles. Suspended glass globes by British industrial designer Tom Dixon brings a new dimension of lighting effects to the well-loved space.

Apart from aesthetic improvements, the refurbished Grand Ballroom located on the second level features improved audiovisual equipment such as built-in LED. The pillar-free and soundproofed 1,560-square-metre ballroom can accommodate up to 1,500.

Situated on the hotel's executive floors (17th to 21st), the newly renovated Club rooms and suites, ranging in size from 34 to 68 square metres, offer a line‑up of new hardware and amenities. Standard room features include an angled 40-inch LED television, DVD player, Bose SoundDock, central multi-socket panel with audio, video and USB capabilities for easy plug-and-play connectivity and a standing bar with Nespresso coffee maker.

 Bathroom features include an automatic multifunction washlet, bathtub and separate shower equipped with a rain‑shower head and a built-in shaving mirror, and a bathroom mirror with an inbuilt television and digital clock.

To celebrate its rebranding, Kerry Hotel, Beijing offers a special introductory package until 29 February 2012. The package includes:

- Accommodation in a Club Room
- One-way Wi-Fi enabled limousine transfer with airport butler service
- Rmb300 dining credit per stay valid at Kerry's Kitchen, Kerry's Pantry, The Horizon Chinese restaurant and Centro
- Complimentary in-room wired broadband Internet and Wi-Fi access
- Complimentary minibar upon arrival, excluding hard liquor and wine
- Club benefits and privileges, and access to The Club Lounge located on the 18th floor.

Rates start at Rmb2,288 per night, subject to 15% service charge, and a minimum two-night stay is required. Reservations are subject to availability and advance booking. Terms and conditions apply. Golden Circle members will earn triple Award Points when booking this package.

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