High Life Issue #5

HIGH LIFE #5 February 2017 57 Curious to find out what the hotel is like in the 21st century, High Life decided to pay a visit. Upon entering the hotel, we are greeted by several friendly staff with dazzling smiles. The lobby isn’t what you would describe as grand, yet the cozy atmosphere and unique elegance keeps us at ease. A blaze of gold wood carvings, covering 188 square feet of black marble wall in the main lobby, provide an exceptional focal point. Rich and magnificent, the carvings depict a charming myriad of people, animals, birds and flowers including scenes from the centennial birthday celebrations of Guo Ziyi, a Chancellor in the Tang Dynasty and a figure beloved in Chinese folk history. These finely executed gilt carvings are from the Daoguang reign and are an eloquent testimony to the genius of China’s craftsmen. Stronger Oriental accents were added to the lobby in 1992 with the acquisition of several antiques, authenticated by world famous auction house Sotheby’s. The collection includes a Han green-glazed pottery Hu, or vase, that depicts hunting scenes against a background of clouds. It is displayed on a Qing blackwood alter table, as is the early Ming carved Celadon jar with blackwood top and carved white jade finial. A 17th century Ming gilt-bronze figure of Guandi on Horseback is of particular interest because it is rare to find the horse in a “walking” rather than “standing” position – and equally unusual to find it made from bronze rather than wood. A dramatic mural, created in 1963 for the hotel by local artist Gerard D’A Henderson, depicts three mythical figures who overlook the hotel entrance. Charmed by the beauty of the artworks and antique Oriental tapestries adorning the corridors, we are ushered up the warmly lit elevator and into our room after a quick check-in. Designed for discerning travellers who are fond of refined luxury, each of the rooms at the iconic property has been individually furnished and decorated to embrace the brand’s Oriental heritage, while being combined with a fresh, contemporary feel to offer harmony and serenity. Attention has been paid to even the smallest detail, from rare materials to hand-crafted finishes. Our room has a black and white marble, open-plan bathroom with blinds that can be closed for privacy. The bedroom, decorated in shades of light blue and cream, is paneled in walnut with a seating area with day bed and work desk that can be curtained off from the bedroom area. It is the quintessential “home away from home.”