SimplyAbuDhabi XXXIII

1 8 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I AUriGA SPA opening in the Spring of 2018, the Capella’s Auriga Spa is a dose of tranquillity from the moment you enter its sweet oil scented embrace. The seven treatment suites are resolutely minimalist yet perfect for escape into absolute comfort. The fluffy warm towel underlay on the treatment bed combined with the soft instrumental piano and the deft skill of the therapist, ensures body and mind will unite in complete relaxation. Auriga has floatation tanks, a Hypoxi sculpting machine, a high-tech gym, vitality pool, sauna and steam rooms and a relaxation lounge. There is a broad range of signature treatments designed in accordance with the phases of the moon. i opted for the new Moon signature package, which focuses on renewal and introspection—time became distorted and i couldn’t accurately gauge how long i’d been in the soothing cocoon of the treatment room. i eventually left Auriga feeling refreshed and invigorated, while being simultaneously serene. The Capella, Jian ye Li is a remarkable resort ideally located within one of Shanghai’s most charming cultural preservation zones. Mr. dorian rommel, the hotel’s General Manager says, “The Capella Shanghai will transform the hospitality industry in the Shanghainese landscape. We’re deeply honoured to be able to pay tribute to Shanghai’s rich heritage by offering our guests the experience of what life was once like here, and to see how history lives on as Shanghai grows into one of the world’s most forward-thinking and cosmopolitan cities.” THE MiddLE HoUSE Forming part of the Swire Hotels property group, The House Collective is an ultra-cool clutch of hotels that have all seized some spotlight on the global hotel stage for being striking conceptual creations of prominent architects and designers. The collection comprises The Upper House in Hong Kong, The opposite House in beijing, The Temple House in Chengdu, and the latest addition, which opened in May 2018— The Middle House in Shanghai. Speaking to brain Williams, deputy Chairman of Swire Hotels, he says, “We’re really excited about The Middle House. Each of our properties embraces the spirit of its home city, and The Middle House exemplifies modern-day Shanghai. it’s our fourth hotel in The House Collective, which welcomes world travellers who seek a luxurious yet unique and personalised experience during their stay.” Located in the city’s historic dazhongli neighbourhood on West nanjing road, one of Shanghai’s major shopping thoroughfares, the hotel is part of the new HKri Taikoo Hui complex, which consists of a vast shopping mall, two office towers, and two more hotels/serviced apartments. Although it’s a thriving area packed with shops, restaurants, dumpling joints, busy cafés, including the world’s largest Starbucks, the bumper to bumper traffic and throngs of people are absent from the front entrance of the Middle House, which is neatly tucked away from all the frenetic energy in a quiet enclave, with its two restaurants, Frasca and Sui Tang Li, in an adjacent building. Entering the lobby to the jazz strains of a Charles Mingus track, i’m compelled to immediately relax and enjoy one of the comfortable lounge chairs and leaf through the eclectic mix of hardback books. There’s no rush to check-in when the ambiance is so laid back. When i’m ready to get my room, i’m flattered to learn that guests can have a personal assistant for the duration of their stay. Andy is a natural at being friendly without being over-familiar and he gives me great recommendations for nearby sights and museums, checks some opening times for me, and gives me some insider dining tips. Most importantly, his receptive energy is a vital ingredient for creating a memorable welcome. The room has instant wow factor as the floor to ceiling windows overlook one of the last remaining shikumen old towns. birds wheel and flock over the patchwork of low-rise tiled rooves and the overlap of modern glass and steel with the bricks and mortar of the historic section of the city is thrown into sharp relief. The design of every element, from the open-plan bathroom to the choice of books in the bedroom, has been carefully curated by the renowned architect Piero Lissoni and his team. The clean silhouettes and bold lines that are a signature design code of Lissoni’s, work brilliantly both inside the hotel, and outside too—The Middle House’s exterior façade also has Lissoni’s touch. The outer shell of the building features a series of round aluminium louvers—these horizontal shutters are angled to allow light and air in but to keep out rain and blinding sunshine. The grey-toned shutters give a textured aesthetic that distinguishes the hotel’s two towers from the surrounding properties. While louvers and their uniform slats are a common sight in Shanghainese architecture, these have round frames that make for a modern twist. There are 111 modern studios in the hotel, ranging in size from 50 to 90 square metres, plus the 660 square- metre Penthouse, which comprises a two-bedroom suite and offers private terraces, a lounge and an exclusive event space with a private kitchen. The design codes throughout The Middle House embrace craftsmanship and culture, and Shanghainese elements merge seamlessly with contemporary Western touches. The dining options also strike a fine balance between East and West.