WRITTEN BY
Editorial Team
PUBLISHED ON
January 10, 2017
LOCATION
Shanghai, China
Bellagio’s first ever hotel outside of North America officially opened at the start of the year, bringing a little bit of that garish Vegas chic to the historic Bund in China’s most dynamic city. Bellagio Shanghai – part of The Leading Hotels of the World family – finally opened their highly-anticipated hotel at the start of the month to create a sister hotel to their famous Bellagio Towers in Las Vegas.
ABOVE: Lobby at the Bellagio Shanghai.
Found on the Suzhou River and with fulsome views of the Bund, the Bellagio Shanghai was one of five new hotels recently added to the impressive 375-strong The Leading Hotels of the World roster. Accommodations at the Bellagio hotel are fittingly dazzling, living up to the brand’s sybarite style.
The rooms at the Bellagio Shanghai run the gamut from the 60 to 70 square meter rooms to the 400-square-meter Presidential Suite; although, when it comes to “presidential” the nearby Fairmont Peace Hotel has somewhat of an upper hand. Suitably designed, guest accommodations feature expansive private terraces for views of the Bund and Lujiazui district, while suites are tended by 24-hour butler services.
“The new properties are expanding Leading Hotels’ global footprint in several new markets that we believe our curious travelers will be eager to explore,” said Deniz Omurgonulsen vice president of membership at The Leading Hotels of the World.
ABOVE: Master bedroom in the Presidential Suite.
Bringing a total of 138 guestrooms and 24 suites, the Bellagio Shanghai promises to be a hot hotel on the Shanghai streets – winner of the Most Anticipated Hotel of the Year by China Mag and Hurun Hot Hotel Award, and was named one of the 10 Most Anticipated Hotel Openings in Greater China by China Global Traveler.
ABOVE: The Terrace River Room at Bellagio Shanghai.
The art-deco design comes courtesy of hospitality design firm WATG. “The architectural style is a fitting gesture to the neo-classical buildings across the Suzhou River but the Bellagio still maintains a contemporary appeal due to the clean, crisp and subdued geometric lines of its art-deco style,” said Roger Gaspar, associate vice president and senior project designer at WATG, in a press release earlier this year.
ABOVE: Mock up of the Atrium at Bellagio Shanghai.
WATG and Wimberly Interiors’ design for Bellagio Shanghai also encompasses over 2,000-square meters of retail space and a ballroom opening onto a three-storey high, cascading crystal waterfall chandelier, amongst other features.
Also of note is the dining at Mansion on One, overseen by executive chef Peter Yu. Despite taking pains to meticulously restore classic Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine, the feature dish comes from the capital further north: Peking Duck, boasted to the best roast duck in Shanghai. Mansion on One features 11 private dining rooms.
ABOVE: Corridor to the Italian fine dining at LAGO by Julian Serrano.
Even more noteworthy is LAGO by Julian Serrano on the Bellagio’s sixth floor, led by executive chef Jair Gudino Chavez. Taking a break from the art-deco of the rooms at the Bellagio and the authenticity of Mansion on One, LAGO by Julian Serrano is based on Italian futurism – a reflection on the fare, which includes small plate Italian cuisine.
ABOVE: Bellagio Cafe, overseen by executive chef George Li.
Travelers will find yet more dining options at Café Bellagio – for a classic American diner experience in classic Vegas style – and The Lounge, which features cocktails and live music. Both Café Bellagio and The Lounge are headed by executive chef George Li.
Two floors down the Bellagio Shanghai has the Spa at Bellagio, offering uniquely choreographed wellness treatments. Comprising five treatment suites with aview over the river, the 1,900-square meter open-plan space incorporates a gym on the third floor. The swimming pool, however, is closed through march for construction and maintenance.