Alila Anji provides bamboo retreat from bustle of daily life

Deep bamboo forests, zigzagging paths and lakes around the mountains in Anji, a county in Zhejiang province, make travelers feel like they are on an adventure in a centuries-old hidden village, or as if they are living with a primitive tribe.

Driving along a tortuous road up the mountainside, one can easily become bored, that is, until a row of traditional-style bungalows with helm roofs, gray tiles, white walls, courtyards, pavilions and wooden doors appear.

The classically designed "village" faces the mountains while the crystalline Fushi Reservoir, which is often likened to a necklace, occupies the other side of the mountain.

It is Alila Anji, one of the region's most exclusive and eco-friendly resorts.

People can visit the village to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and to seek the tranquility and inner peace of their own without sacrificing luxury, style and modernity.

"The best chefs or services can be copied, but the surroundings here are difficult to replicate," said Marco den Ouden, general manager of Alila Anji. The first Alila brand opened in China in early June.

With more than 60,000 hectares of bamboo forests and some 113,000 square kilometers of white tea plantations, Anji, which is 80 km northwest of Hangzhou, the capital of the province, is the first national ecological county in China. It is also where film director Ang Lee shot his global hit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2001.

"Our concept is to be part of the local environment and combine the architecture, design and services with sustainable resources and cultural elements of the region," he said.

From its traditional village design, bamboo-themed interiors, fresh vegetables and fruits from local markets, to genuine and soothing spa, tai chi and yoga classes, as well as hiking and boating activities, Alila Anji has taken every advantage the environment provides, mixing local resources with its eco-luxury aesthetic.

With an investment of $1 billion, Alila Anji has 74-suite villas and rooms offering guests incredible views of the surroundings from every angle.

Covering a floor area of 30,000 sq m, the resort plays off the surrounding rural landscape, reminding people of a simple and healthy lifestyle.

Ouden said Alila wants to create a family of resorts, but does not intend to simply replicate the same template.

"Some hotels are extroverted while others are introverted, and all of them can be Alila," he said. "In Bali, Alila is young, relaxing and vigorous, and it attracts honeymoon couples. But, here in Anji we have families, usually three generations - little kids and their grandparents."

There are a total of 12 Alila villas or hotels in countries including Indonesia, India, Oman and China, each with its own unique temperament.

Jebel Akhdar on Oman's Al Hajar mountain range uses stones as its design material, catering to adventure travelers and nature lovers. Alila Jakarta, in the downtown area of the city, offers a cool and modern retreat for young urbanites and executives.

Chinese people are changing their travel approach from merely sightseeing to personal experience, and Alila can create the whole journey for them, Ouden said.

"I want to explore opportunities for more exciting experiences for our guests, such as finding areas for barbecues, hot-air balloons, hiking, boating and champagne parties," he said. "We always strive to provide everything for different people, but not to dictate what people should do."

Local villagers are vibrant and open-minded to new opportunities, and Alila is happy to play a role in boosting the local economy, he said.

Wang Hongcui, a local farmer in Shuangshe village in Anji, never thought she would get a stable job in her hometown.

"I feel honored to work in Alila as a receptionist at the fitness center. Many of my colleagues here are locals and it's easy to communicate," said the 42-year-old worker.

"Alila Anji has helped my hometown to improve the natural environment, infrastructure and road conditions," she added.

Later this year, Alila plans to open another two resorts in China - Alila Yangshuo in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Alila Tianxi Lake in Hangzhou.

wangjinhui@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 10/15/2016 page10)