W Suzhou incorporates historic city's ancient heritage, modern art

W Suzhou Hotel in Jiangsu province showcased its brand appeal with a special opening ceremony in late May, attracting more than 1,000 participants rejoicing in the gala night.

The event marked the official premiere of the brand's newest property in China, though the hotel has been working out the kinks since its soft opening last September.

Ugur Lee Kanbur, general manager of W Suzhou, described the event not so much as a formally dressed ritual but as a night of sheer revelry, with participants' enthusiasm ignited by performances including signature Spanish Flamenco dancing, local folk arts and Kunqu Opera, a traditional Chinese performing art form originating from the area.

Suzhou, a popular tourist destination, has long been known as a garden city for its well-preserved ancient parks and other rich cultural heritage, such as silk and embroidery. It serves as an idyllic setting for the W Hotels brand, known for its vitality and fine sense of design, fashion and music it brings to the old city.

The mix of the ancient city's heritage and the hotel's contemporary urban vibe was apparent from the sensory experiences at the opening event, said Carol Zhou, senior director of luxury brand management of the Asia-Pacific region at Marriott International, owner of the luxury hospitality brand.

W Suzhou has worked its innovative interpretation of local culture into its design, creating a "levitating garden" that has made the hotel highly identifiable and dovetails nicely with the city's revitalized urban lifestyle, Zhou said.

Many details of the hotel's design were inspired by typical elements in classical Suzhou parks, such as lakes, stones, pavilions, walls and entrances.

For instance, Kunqu Opera, ranking among the earliest Chinese traditions recognized by UNESCO, is reflected in the hotel's guest rooms, as interior decorations include items shaped in its accompanying musical instruments, such as four-stringed pipa.

The hotel also offers a tea lounge that provides a stylish venue for social gatherings. And lanterns, a commonplace sight under the roofs of old houses in the city, add a unique flair to the hotel's ambience.

During the three-day celebration, participants could immerse themselves in plenty of Suzhou's traditional heritage while at the same time enjoying the most modern of Chinese design art, Zhou said.

(China Daily 06/02/2018 page10)