A new Grand Hyatt hotel has opened in Xi’an – one of China’s most ancient cities and the starting point for the ancient Silk Road trading post that connected East with West.
Strategically located within the Xi’an High-Tech Industries Development Zone, home to more than 200 Fortune 500 companies, Grand Hyatt Xi’an forms part of the Maike Center, comprised of high-end retail and offices.
Xi’an Greenland PICO International Convention & Exhibition Center as well as Xi’an Qujiang International Conference Exhibition Center are also situated nearby.
Various tourist attractions, key transportation hubs and the international airport are also easily accessible from the hotel.
Design and Guestrooms
Inspired by a palatial mirage in the desert, the Grand Hyatt Xi’an hotel’s glass tower may appear cutting-edge, but the company says its design is firmly rooted in the city’s history. Representing the Silk Road, the 396-room hotel connects to an office tower via a Sky Bridge 328 feet above ground. At ground level, the faceted exterior of the hotel shapes the entrance comprised of a two-story atrium lobby topped with a triangular sloping glass roof. Inside, guests are greeted with a design inspired by the exotic desert wildlife, geography and culture of the modern Silk Road.
Standard rooms in contemporary design start at 538 square feet, while deluxe rooms start at 807 square feet, all with floor-to-ceiling windows. Light brushed woods and terracotta or crimson accents have been used to create a ‘warm and relaxing’ ambience.
“The heritage and history of Xi’an have been the backdrop for an impressive atmosphere of hospitality,” said Christopher Koehler, Hyatt’s vice president of operations and managing director for China. “As early as 1990, Xi’an has been of special importance for Hyatt as it was one of the first locations in which our brands entered China and where we have cultivated great talent and leaders over the years. We are grateful to Maike Group for developing such a spectacular property and are excited to support the development of the Silk Road in the process.”
Dining and Drinking
From the Sky Bridge, visitors can take in the 360-degree views of the city below. Against this backdrop, numerous dining experiences are available, ranging from local to global fare at The Lounge, Grand Café, Chang’an Bridge Chinese Restaurant and Allegro Restaurant & Bar.
Grand Café is intended to conjure the feeling of a vibrant marketplace along the Silk Road, where chefs prepare local and global cuisines within interactive, open kitchens during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dressed in warm desert tones, The Lounge is intended as a spot for high-flyers to relax and meet.
Chang’an Bridge Chinese Restaurant serves the regional cuisines of Canton and Shaanxi in a chic ambience that contrasts dramatic abacus-styled screens and red booth seating with rustic woods and Persian carpets. In addition to the main dining room, nine dining suites are available for exclusive private experiences with butler service.
Opening later this year, Allegro Restaurant & Bar will bring a new level of personality to dining and nightlife in Xi’an. An Italian restaurant by day serving classic dishes and pizzas from a wood-fired oven, Allegro Restaurant & Bar will transform into a gastro lounge with specialty cocktails, wines and spirits, and live entertainment at night. The space can also be converted into a special event venue for meetings or events with natural light and impressive views.
Later this year, Maple House will specialize in Pan-Asian and local Shaanxi BBQ specialties in a stylish setting enclosed by floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors. Guests can also enjoy alfresco dining on the podium terrace atop the fifth floor, which is landscaped with fire pits and colorful gardens.
Meetings and Events
The 24,907 square feet of futuristic and customizable spaces at Grand Hyatt Xi’an host events, with both the Grand Ballroom and the Grand Salon enclosed by curving walls. Encircling the space is a nearly 10 foot high LED screen that can be used by event organizers for tailored presentations that “travel” around the entire Grand Ballroom.
An additional 11 meeting rooms are available in varied sizes for customized business meetings or intimate social gatherings as well as a large open kitchen that offers a site for creative catering and networking.
