Four Seasons continues to expand its presence in China with three openings in 2012, including its first hotels in Guangzhou and Beijing, and a second location in Shanghai.  Ten years ago, the company began its expansion strategy in the country with its first hotel in Shanghai, followed by openings in Hong Kong, Macau and Hangzhou.

“In the span of a little more than eight weeks, we’re opening three new Four Seasons in three of China’s most important cultural and economic gateway cities – Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing,” says Chris Hart, president hotel operations, Asia Pacific at Four Seasons. “And that’s just the beginning as we look ahead to another new opening in Shenzhen next year, and continue aggressive development of half a dozen additional properties, including our first two resorts in China.”

Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou - opened July 23, 2012

  Striking architecture: in the top third of the 103-storey Guangzhou IFC in Pearl River New City
  Rooms with views: 302 guest rooms and 42 suites
  Guangzhou’s highest hotel restaurant and more: six dining and entertainment venues, including 100th floor Catch seafood restaurant and Cantonese restaurant Yu Yue Heen, plus 11 private dining rooms
  A Spa in the heavens: 1,070 square metre (11,517 square foot) Hua Spa with nine treatment rooms on the 69th floor, plus indoor horizon lap pool and fitness centre
  It’s happening here: 3,585 square metres (38,585 square feet) of event space on the first five floors of the Guangzhou IFC including three ballrooms and eight smaller meeting rooms
  Plus: Executive Club Lounge on the 99th floor; extensive contemporary art collection by international artists throughout the Hotel

Entering the Guangzhou IFC on the ground floor, guests board dedicated express elevators to the 70th floor lobby of Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou. Upon arrival, they are greeted by a panoramic view of the Pearl River Delta, and another surprise is overhead. As guests step into the astounding light-filled atrium lobby, they are bathed in natural light funnelled down from a glass ceiling 30 stories above.

Spiralling toward the sky, 344 guest rooms and suites all feature floor to ceiling windows with interior design by HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates. Throughout the Hotel, a marriage of Chinese culture and modern design is expressed with a series of motifs that reference the powerful symbols of dragons and clouds. A carefully curated contemporary art collection featuring international artists enhances the visual experience.

Six dining and entertainment venues include Catch, a spectacular seafood restaurant with a demonstration kitchen on the 100th floor and Tian Bar one floor below; Kumoi, a stunning Japanese restaurant on the 72nd floor as well as the Italian-themed Caffe Mondo; Yu Yue Heen, a stylish Cantonese restaurant on the 71st floor overlooking the lobby; and The Atrium lounge on the lobby level.

Hua Spa offers nine naturally-lit treatment rooms, as well as a water-based treatment area, rhassoul mud chamber, crystal steam room, laconium, saunas and ice fountain. Treatments are inspired by indigenous flowers – hua in Mandarin. An indoor horizon pool and 24-hour fitness centre are also available.

The Hotel’s events complex is conveniently accessed from ground level. A total of 3,585 square metres (38,585 square feet) of formal event space accommodates banquets from ten to 720 in three ballrooms, each with an adjacent VIP room. Eight smaller meeting rooms and 11 private dining rooms in the restaurants above offer space for 10 to 32 persons.

Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai – scheduled to open in September 2012

  At the centre of the action: in the Lujiazhui business district of Pudong in the new 55-storey 21st Century Tower
  Exclusive accommodations: 187 guest rooms and 15 suites
  See and be seen: two restaurants, plus six private dining rooms
  Intimate oasis: FLARE Spa
  Stylish occasions: 800 square metres (8,611 square feet) of event space, including a ballroom, three smaller salons and a boardroom
  Plus: 35th floor Executive Club Lounge; 73 Private Residences

Smart, sexy and stylish, the city’s second Four Seasons is a glamorous new enclave in the heart of Shanghai’s business district, offering a chic respite high above the urban melee.

Wilson Associates have designed interiors for 187 guest rooms and suites inspired by Shanghai’s golden age of international trade and culture in the 1920s and 30s Art Deco period.

For elegant entertaining, the exclusive Shàng-xí showcases contemporary Shanghainese and Cantonese cuisine. In addition to the main restaurant, five sumptuous private dining rooms – each with exquisite décor inspired by a semi-precious gem – offer further opportunity to entertain and dine behind their discreet walls. At the heart of the social experience at Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai is the first level Camelia with a menu of French cuisine created by a trio of chefs from the two Michelin star Le Cinq in Paris, paired with a full Japanese sushi menu. The restaurant features a lively and dynamic wine bar and stylish outdoor lounge area, plus a private sushi dining room for up to 12 guests.

Featuring exclusive treatment and products from GUERLAIN, the intimate FLARE Spa’s treatment rooms include two luxurious VIP spa suites with whirlpool and rainshower for two. A 24-hour fitness centre, as well as an indoor lap pool with skyline views from the 41st floor, are also open to guests.

Whether doing business in Pudong or celebrating special occasions, the Hotel is the preferred gathering place for affairs ranging from two to 200. In addition to six private dining rooms at the restaurants, the Hotel offers 800 square metres (8,611 square feet) of meeting spaces, including a divisible ballroom, three smaller salons and a boardroom.

Four Seasons Hotel Beijing – scheduled to open in September 2012

  The city’s best address: in the Liangmahe area of the Central Business District, close to the Third Diplomatic Precinct in northeastern Chaoyang
  Imperial style accommodations: 313 guest rooms including 66 suites
  Dine in high style: two restaurants and three lounges, including Cai Yi Xuan Chinese restaurant, Mio Italian restaurant, and a tea garden, plus nine private dining rooms
  Escape the urban din: The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, including 11 treatment pavilions, plus an indoor pool and gym
  Opulent event space: 3,250 square metres (35,000 square feet) of event space highlighted by the 900 square metre (9,700 square foot) pillarless Imperial Ballroom
  Plus: Executive Club Lounge; 210 Private Apartments

Upon arriving at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, visitors are struck by a look that draws on principles of traditional Chinese architecture as the main hotel entry impresses with its wide façade, reminiscent of the city’s Imperial Palaces. Inside, energizing colours, textures and familiar motifs come to life in public spaces and the Hotel’s 366 guest rooms and suites.

Five restaurants and lounges are highlighted by the glamorous Chinese restaurant Cai Yi Xuan overlooking the street from the second floor. Eight private dining rooms include two with secluded VIP seating areas. The Italian restaurant Mio is a high energy experience with a bar, areas of low seating with sofas, open show kitchens, and a private dining room. Three lounges include the grand two-storey Opus Lounge, and club-like Opus Bar, and the secluded sixth floor Tea Garden.

The Spa offers traditional Chinese and rejuvenating treatments in 11 treatment pavilions. A sun-lit indoor pool and 24-hour gym are also available to guests.

One of the city’s largest selections of meeting venues offers 3,250 square metres (35,000 square feet) of event space, including the fabulous Imperial Ballroom, with nearly 900 square metres (9,700 square feet) lit by chandeliers accommodating more than 600 people for business and social events, as well as an additional ballroom and ten breakout rooms.