Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition - December 2017

77

businesstraveller.com DECEMBER 2017

TRIED AND TESTED HOTEL

BEST FOR...

Proximity to the CBD and

Shenzhen Convention

and Exhibition Center.

DON’T MISS...

Jazz sessions in

Mr Wong.

PRICE

Internet rates for a

flexible midweek stay in

an Executive Room start

from RMB1,800 (US$272).

CONTACT

Tower B, Great China

International Finance

Centre, 1003 Shennan

Road, Shenzhen;

+86 755 2130 8888

hilton.com

Hilton Shenzhen Futian

BACKGROUND Opened in 2015, the 320-

room hotel is one of five Hilton properties

in Shenzhen (alongside the more resort-like

Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai and Hilton

Zhongshan Downtown).

WHERE IS IT? Conveniently located

in the heart of Futian CBD, the hotel is

within walking distance of the Shenzhen

Convention and Exhibition Center and a

five-minute taxi ride from the Hong Kong

border. Shenzhen Bao’an International

Airport is about a 40-minute drive away,

while Hong Kong International Airport is

also accessible by car in under an hour.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The ground-floor

lobby of the Hilton is awash with polished

marble, covering the floors and pillars. A

concierge desk is immediately to the right,

while the two reception desks are tucked in

an alcove opposite the entrance. A standout

feature is the adjoining McLaren car

dealership boasting a bevy of sleek motors.

ROOMS My Twin Executive Room was a

decent 42 sqm in size with large floor-to-

ceiling windows offering a city view across

a wide boulevard.

A muted colour scheme of dusky pinks,

bright creams and dark woods offered a

clean, contemporary look. Some well-

chosen design details offered a bit of

personality, including a bamboo mural

above the headboard and panelling effect

on the walls. To the left of the TV was a

comfortable work desk, complete with

ports, plugs and cables, as well as a hard-

backed armchair.

The bed was comfortable and I was

happy to see international plug sockets for

both beds - though unfortunately, the one

by the side of the bed I chose didn’t work. A

radio alarm clock was also next to the bed,

with pairing facilities and an iPod docking

station. Two other major plusses were an

effective master kill switch that turned off all

lights at once and blackout curtains.

Opposite the beds was a large 42-inch

LCD TV screen, with a cabinet beneath

containing the minibar, (a local beer is

RMB30/US$4.5). Complimentary tea- and

coffee-making facilities are also available.

The bathroom was nice and large, fitted

out in streaked marble. A rain shower with

frosted-glass door and separate toilet

room make it discrete enough to share.

The vanity area was well stocked with

lovely Peter Thomas Roth amenities,

while shower products were by Crabtree

and Evelyn.

CLUB LOUNGE There is a club lounge

on the 20th floor. It sports a dramatic

design, with textural brown walls and

floor-to-ceiling windows. There was ample

seating with a variety of social and more

private seating arrangements. Buffet

breakfast, cocktail, snacks and drinks

are available.

FOOD AND DRINK Buffet breakfast

and dinner service is available in the Mis.U

all-day dining restaurant (open 6.30am-

11pm). The quantity and quality of choice at

the dinner buffet was fantastic – a seafood

counter offered lobster, crab, mussels and

prawns, and there was fresh sashimi, a

range of curries, Western dishes and more.

An à la carte option is also available. For

more upmarket affairs, the hotel’s Lan

Ting is ideal for business entertaining,

serving up contemporary Cantonese

and Sichuanese cuisine with a number

of private rooms available. In the evening

head up to Mr Wong, a cooler-than-usual

hotel bar with jazz sounds and spectacular

city views. Open till late.

LEISURE A generous-sized fitness room

is available 24 hours a day, with park and

city views through floor-to-ceiling glass

windows. There is an outdoor pool suitable

for laps, with loungers and city views –

though reports from previous customers

indicate the pool is often closed.

MEETINGS While one of the key

attractions of Hilton Shenzhen Futian is its

close proximity to the Shenzhen Exhibition

Center, it also offers its own range of

facilities. These include a 600 sqm Grand

Ballroom and 16 flexible meeting and

function rooms.

VERDICT A solid five-star business

hotel in the middle of Shenzhen’s CBD.

The bustling environment was good with a

hotel bar worth checking out. Tamsin Cocks

Head up to

Mr Wong – a

cooler-than-

usual hotel

bar with jazz

sounds and

spectacular

city views