PuLi: The First Urban Resort And Spa In Downtown Shanghai

by Susan Kime (RSS feed)
Oct 19th 2010 at 9:01AM

The urban resort idea is growing in the United States. I have written about it recently for Luxist, regarding the Millennium Towers in San Francisco. This residence hotel offers a type of experiential, urban sanctuary that is particularly needful, especially in electric, busy, hyper-urban settings.

This concept is new in the Far East, and the PuLi Hotel and Spa is the first luxury urban resort in the city of Shanghai, and in China. The 26-floor, 209 room and 20 suite hotel is centrally located, in the heart of Shanghai's business, shopping, sightseeing and entertainment districts. There are also views of JingAn Park, The hotel is also located by sky bridge to the new multi-use development Park Place..

"We have been very successful with this new idea," said Yvonne Mak, Director of Sales And Marketing for PuLi. "The urban resort fits in so well with what our guests want: the busier the city, the more they need a sanctuary. Our goal is to offer an experiential oasis for the guests, so they can feel they are miles away from the intensity of city life that is in reality, right outside the hotel doors. Therefore, the spa, the dining, the architectural and interior design of the hotel all work together to exude a kind of peace and simplicity."

PuLi Long Bar

Jing'An, the hotel's epicurean restaurant, certainly works toward that goal, as it provides diners with seasonal and changing international menus with a subtle Asian influence.. Guests can explore new tastes and textures by combining selections of the available dishes that use different preparation and cooking methods, to provide, essentially, their own unique, educational dining experience.. Lunch and dinner features a western menu, complemented by a selection of Asian dishes.. The 120-seat restaurant boasts impressive views across the park. The Long Bar, part of the Jing'An, is named for its 105-foot bar that offers one of Shanghai's "longest" wine and Champagne selections.

Puli Hotel And Spa Exterior

Guests also have access to a well-equipped fitness center, sauna, steam room, experiential showers, Jacuzzi pool, infinity lap pool as well as the first Anantara spa in Shanghai operated by the award-winning spa group. True to the hotel's desire to maintain a sense of urban oasis in its product, the spa's treatment range reflects a sense of culture and character to the destination, combining ancient therapies from China, Thailand and India, that include Tea Therapies. Three-hour treatments include the Green Tea Purification and White Tea Moisturizer treatments. This latter treatment combines the natural powers of white tea with the moisturizing properties of avocado and the healing power of volcanic stone. The White Tea Moisturizer treatment also comes complete with a Floral Foot Ritual, a White Tea Bath, an Avocado Body Scrub, an Avocado Body Wrap, a Shower, Hot Stone Massage and a Hot White Tea. For traditional Chinese treatments, guests can also enjoy a traditional Ling Zhi bath, an ancient bathing ritual that utilizes fresh ginger to detoxify the body. For those who want to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine among the luxury comforts of a spa, they can choose Oriental foot massage or traditional full-body Chinese massage. Five treatment suites are available for individuals or couples.

PuLi Pool
The PuLi is the inaugural property of Urban Resort Concepts, a Hong Kong based hotel management company. Hotel rates begin at $500 per night USD.