PHOTOGRAPHY: ALGRIDAS BAKAS WRITER: CATHERINE NELSON
t the original Bangkok outpost of Thai
brand Sukhothai, which opened 27 years ago,
six acres of sprawling landscaped gardens
hide lotus ponds in courtyards, small pagodas
and guest rooms outfitted with dark teak
interiors and four-poster beds. In Shanghai,
the scene couldn’t be more different. Located
on the edge of the recently opened mixed-use
HKRI Taikoo Hui complex, the brand’s
second opening is unapologetically modern
and minimalist – all clean lines, terrazzo,
pale wood and brass accents.
But while the aesthetics differ starkly,
the ethos of the two properties reflects the
character of their respective cities while
providing a space to get away from it all.
‘From the very beginning, it was important
for us to bring a sense of serenity, an oasis
or an urban retreat to a busy city,’ say the
designers of the Shanghai property, Lyndon
Neri and Rossana Hu of Neri & Hu. ‘It was
important to play on this scale and, instead
of grandness, we decided to focus on creating
spaces that are convivial and intimate.’ The
Shanghai-based duo understand the demand
for expertly-crafted calm spots in the city and
have delivered. The hotel’s 201 guest rooms
exude a homey warmth with textured clay
walls (painted pale pink, green and cream for
‘freshness and depth’), pale wood floors, and
a mix of sleek furnishings – either from Neri
& Hu’s own collection or from brands such
as Hay, Poltrona Frau, Ingo Maurer and Flos.
Details are equally key in the hotel’s
five restaurants and bars. Elegantly outfitted
with an open kitchen decked out in blue-
green, hand-glazed ceramic tiles, La Scala, led
by chefs Theodor Falser and Stefano Sanna,
offers contemporary farm-to-table Italian
fare, including octopus salad and pesto-
marinated pork neck. Meanwhile, Vincenzo
Pagliara, formerly of The Connaught in
London, is behind the innovative cocktail
menu at The Zuk Bar, whose outdoor
terrace casually spills out onto the street. ∂
380 Weihai Road, Jingan District, Shanghai,
tel: 86.21 5237 8888, sukhothai.com.
Rates: from CNY2,500 ($400)A
Sleekness and serenity in Shanghai
Stepping up
THE SUKHOTHAI SHANGHAI,
DESIGNED BY NERI & HU,
IS CHARACTERISED BY CLEAN
LINES, TERRAZZO, PALE
WOOD AND BRASS ACCENTS∑ 125
Checking In