SimplyAbuDhabi XLVI

guests undergo during their spa journeys. Butterfly-inspired sculptures and ceramic installations by Chinese artists Shi Hai and Kang Qin blend with natural materials, such as walnut wood, raw stone, and mother of pearl, to give the spa an elegant and inspiring ambience. The 13 treatment suites are also named “butterfly” in different world languages, including Mariposa (Spanish), Kupu-Kupu (Indonesian) and Euthalia (Greek). An Art Hotel Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai has established itself as a riverfront destination for art connoisseurs. The impressive collection, curated by the renowned Art Front Gallery, features 4,000 original artworks displayed throughout the public spaces and guestrooms. The collection showcases 50 world-renowned artists, including 18 highly prized contemporary artists from China. More than 3,500 pieces are bespoke commissions for the hotel. Among the prestigious names in the collection is Chinese artist Lai De Quan, a national-level master artist whose pieces have been presented to several world dignitaries. Master Lai has created 44 porcelain artworks especially for the hotel. He invented a new technique of glaze painting directly onto traditional Jingdezhen porcelain for his panel collection, Scenes of Jiangnan, which is on display in the guestroom corridors and Presidential Suite. The vibrant interior design of the hotel’s major public areas, by Jiang & Associates Interior Designer Co., LTD as well as BUZ Design from Hong Kong, and Jiang & Associations Interior Design Co., LTD for guestrooms, employs understated natural colours, contemporary materials, and curated artworks to create a distinctive oriental ambience. In addition, locally inspired design motifs reflect the movement of the Huangpu River waters, Shanghai’s futuristic skyline, carved Chinese window frames, and the silhouettes of Shanghai’s plane trees. Throughout the public areas and guestrooms, semi-opaque materials and soft colour palettes enhance the sense of spaciousness and serenity. The intimate lobby features customised Chinese screens, sculptured furnishings, and warm bronze tones inspired by the glint of sunset on the river. A touch of artful glamour is added by a large-scale artwork by Miao Tong stretching across the entire lobby that depicts an ancient forest scene through colourful mosaic glass tiles. The guestroom floors feature a ‘Silent Garden’ theme that exudes a haven of calm and relaxation in the heart of commercial Shanghai. Soft taupe furnishings with flourishes of indigo and lotus-green are offset with abstract ink paintings of traditional Chinese garden landscapes. ADDRESS 111 Pudong Road (S), Pudong, Shanghai 200120, China TELEPHONE +86 (21) 2082 9888 WEBSITE www.mandarinoriental.com.cn/en/shanghai/pudong Simply Abu Dhabi | 91