Wanda Reign Wuhan hosts delegation
Indian Prime Minister regaled with sumptuous banquet, bespoke services, Chen Meiling reports.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was treated to a rich selection of food and sumptuous interior decor during his stay last month at Wanda Reign Wuhan - described by some as China's first seven-star hotel.
The buffet banquet at the hotel, located in the capital of central China's Hubei province, highlighted a range of services especially designed for the Indian leader and his entourage. It featured Huaiyang cuisine, one of the country's most exquisite and refined culinary styles, originating from Jiangsu province.
Dishes included bell peppers, lotus roots, tofu and vegetarian dumplings, to avoid any pork or alcohol, according to the hotel.
Background music throughout the luxury hotel's public areas - including its lobby and lifts - played Indian songs, and the guest rooms carried India's top TV channels, the hotel said.
The Indian leader's 440-square-meter suite offered a stunning panorama of the city's East Lake.
The hotel prepared alcohol-free beverages, cookies without sugar or eggs, and even pillows and bathrobes embroidered with Prime Minister Modi's name.
"I hope our privileged guests experienced the warmest traditional Chinese hospitality from the hotel, the city and the Chinese people," said Wanda Reign Wuhan General Manager Sam Chin.
The hotel is no stranger to world leaders. It played host to UK Prime Minister Theresa May back in February, Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila in 2015, as well as Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
President Xi Jinping's informal meeting with the Indian Prime Minister in Wuhan was covered by about 100 global and local media representatives, according to Sam Chin, who added that his hotel offered the highest standards to receive the state head.
"These (foreign leader reception) events have strict requirements for security and services, which present challenges to hotels in the preparation of their facilities, team work and communications with officials," Chin said.
Reign is an ultra-luxury brand in the portfolio of Wanda Hotels and Resorts Co Ltd. The hotel design, construction and management company, with more than 60 hotels in about 50 cities nationwide, is a subsidiary of Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group.
Wanda Reign Wuhan opened in 2014 and is located near East Lake and Hanjie Street, a major urban commercial and cultural cluster in Wuhan, and is 30 minutes drive from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport.
The hotel has sauna and yoga rooms and an indoor pool. Its 413 guest rooms each have high-tech facilities such as intelligent lighting systems and electronically-operated toilets. "The hotel was designed for high-end events and is equipped with extravagant facilities and private space," Chin said.
According to the hotel, before the arrival of the delegation, its staff coordinated with the Indian embassy on the inspection and maintenance of air conditioners, elevators, as well as the electrical network, to ensure they were all functioning optimally.
There were security checkups, as well as checks to ensure food and fire safety, and emergency prevention.
The hotel's culinary team also invited chefs from the Taj Pavilion Indian Restaurant in Beijing to craft cuisine for the delegation, including Indian curry, rice and other national dishes.
"Prime Minister Modi was very comfortable at the Wanda Reign Wuhan, and we want to thank the hotel for being so cooperative with us," said Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale.
The Indian delegation gave national handicrafts to the hotel as gifts.
Contact the writer at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily 05/05/2018 page10)
