Review of Westin Shanghai, by Caroline Major

When Giorgio Armani opened his first Chinese store on Shanghai's Bund, he stayed at the Westin. Apart from the fact that the luxury hotel is just a stroll away from the increasingly glamorous Bund, The Westin is one of the hippest hotels in Shanghai. In winter, even the door-girls wear mink.

The facilities

The lobby of this luxury hotel is a thriving micro cosmos of snappily dressed crowds, semi- theatrical seating, crazy palms and the buzzing, busy, successful air of all that is good in boom town. From overhead, you could look through the glass atrium and observe the activity. For the rest of us, a trip up the fancifully lit glass staircase yields four levels of vantage points.

In China, luxury hotels are about more than checking in to check out for a good nights sleep. They are status symbols, with the majority of business deals done in private restaurant rooms. The well-heeled come to eat, entertain and pamper, so a successful hotel must have fantastic facilities. Part of the Westin's success are the Sunday brunch in the lobby restaurant, East; the Pan Asian dining room overlooking the city, Prego; a very credible Italian restaurant, the Taste Deli and like a cherry on the top, The Banyan Tree spa.

If it is a good nights sleep you are after, the much acclaimed and trend setting 'Heavenly' beds at Westin deliver. Crisp but soft white linen in a rosy wood, purple and gold surround lend the rooms and suites a sexily moody ambiance. Sliding wood panel doors let you separate the sitting room from the bedroom and the walkthrough bathroom. They are not the biggest rooms in the city but certainly some of the best designed. Aeron chairs at the desk and fast reliable internet (important here) make working in your room a treat.

Book ahead to stay at the Westin. They have the most sought after rooms in the city.