Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund Will Open the First of Its Two Buildings This Summer

The Waldorf Astoria Club heritage building occupies the former legendary

1920's Shanghai Club at No. 2 on the Bund

SHANGHAI, May 26 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The highly-anticipated Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund today announced that the first of its two buildings, the Waldorf Astoria Club, will open this summer. Located on the celebrated Bund in Shanghai, the Waldorf Astoria Club occupies the same spot as the former Shanghai Club, which was an exclusive club originally built in 1911. Today this neo-classic architectural gem has been meticulously restored with the assistance of archival photographs and historic records.

(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2010/05/25/20100525929887.jpg )

(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2010/05/25/20100525695407.jpg )

(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2010/05/25/20100525914301.jpg )

Each of the building's 20 luxurious suites will be decorated in classic European style. Some of the amenities will include walk-in closets, marble-finished bathrooms with double vanity, claw-foot bathtubs and separate showers, in-room entertainment, complimentary in-room internet access and coffee and tea-making facilities. Many of the hotel's rooms will overlook the scenic Bund while other views will feature surrounding historic sites.

Dining at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund will mirror the attentive service and culinary experiences of the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York. The Waldorf Astoria Club will contain two restaurants as well as a lounge and a bar. The Specialty Restaurant will serve New York-inspired modern American cuisine, and the Chinese Restaurant, located on the top floor, will offer regional Chinese delicacies in a setting of authentic art displays. The Salon will be ideal for high tea, book reading and intimate gatherings, and the Long Bar will showcase an impressive 110-foot bar-top counter built to the specifications of the original 1911 bar and well-suited for a lunch meeting, afternoon snack or evening drinks.

The Ballroom is poised to become a sought-after event venue with its location on the second floor of the Waldorf Astoria Club. It will open into an alfresco balcony overlooking the Bund where Shanghai's waterfront promenade will be a picturesque backdrop for weddings, meetings, grand society events and other functions. The hotel complex will also have eight additional function spaces available for events of various sizes.

The hotel's second building, the new tower, is scheduled to open in Q4 2010. The 249-room tower will be located on Sichuan Road behind the Bund and will be connected to the Waldorf Astoria Club though a manicured courtyard with lush landscaping and fountains. The new tower will offer two additional outlets, The Grand Brasserie and Peacock Alley, meeting facilities, indoor heated swimming pool, a fully-equipped health club, spa and library. The new tower will offer a Chairman Suite and a President Suite, both with two well-appointed bedrooms designed to meet the needs of visiting dignitaries, celebrities and privacy-seeking travelers.

In total, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund will comprise 269 guest rooms and suites. Each will be outfitted with contemporary luxuries for modern-day travel experiences.

Whether visiting Shanghai for business or pleasure, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund's ideal location will present a variety of choices for guests to explore the vibrant city. The hotel is easily accessible by Metro and is directly linked to Yan'an Road which tunnels under the Huangpu River linking to Pudong New Area, the financial and commercial hub of modern China. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund is located on the Bund Promenade, known for being the best vantage point for photographing the city's river-side scene, the modern skyscrapers of Pudong and the many iconic landmarks on the Bund.

At dawn, guests will be able to watch or join the many Chinese practicing tai chi or qigong and the dance enthusiasts trying out the tango. At night be enthralled by the spectacular lights from the Pudong skyscrapers. For those seeking art and culture, the area's most famous museums and galleries will be just minutes away. For a taste of local delicacies, the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street will be within walking distance, and the beautiful Yu Garden will be just around the corner. Right across the Huangpu River will be the famous Oriental Pearl Tower, offering a bird's eye view of the city. Hotel butlers will be readily available to offer suggestions, book reservations, make arrangements for a cruise along the river and more.

For more information, please email shawa.info@hilton.com.

Editor's Notes

About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

WALDORF ASTORIA is Hilton Worldwide's luxury brand of landmark hotels, with each one as singular and timeless as the brand's namesake, The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York. From classic elegance to modern grandeur, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts each represent worldly sophistication and unparalleled guest service. From sumptuous spas and culinary excellence to world-class golf, each hotel & resort offers the exquisite accommodations and signature accoutrements that define refinement and sophistication. Discover Waldorf Astoria by visiting http://www.waldorfastoria.com .

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 91 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 592,000 rooms in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors(R). For more information about the company, please visit http://www.hiltonworldwide.com