Waldorf Astoria mixes old and new for timeless, iconic feel

Guests urged to create unforgettable memories at inspirational new hutong courtyard, Fu Chao reports.

Stepping into the Waldorf Astoria Beijing it looks more like a private mansion than a hotel. A long hallway leads guests to the lifts, stairs and the extraordinary hotel where the visit really begins.

The hotel is in the capital's bustling and traditional Wangfujing district and the square, and its bronze building stands as a timeless presence in front of the newly opened Waldorf Astoria Hutong Courtyard.

A legendary hotel

The Waldorf Astoria brand has significant historical value, said Marlene Poynder, the hotel's general manager.

She said the iconic Waldorf Astoria in New York has been a favored hotel with politicians and celebrities throughout history, including Li Hongzhang, the leading statesman of China's last imperial dynasty.

The Waldorf Astoria Beijing is on the former site of Xianliang Temple, the Temple of the Sage and Virtuous, where Li lived near for more than 30 years.

Poynder said the brand based itself on historical sites and triple A locations and tried to give a modern interpretation of what was there before.

The hotel's interior design is contemporary with an oriental touch and is tasteful, elegant and timeless. Wherever guests are in the building they get a sharp feeling of timelessness and are surrounded by fascinated foreign travelers who are exploring the past and present of the city and admiring the hotel's art.

The Hutong Courtyard near the main building is a further effort by the hotel to present the juxtaposition of modern and historic.

The Hutong Courtyard is connected to the hotel's main building by an underground passage and features a Hutong Villa, four Hutong Studios, an underground event space called the Hutong Den and a 12-seat Screening Room.

The hotel invited Chinese experts in architecture and history to design the hutong project. The hotel staff, some of whom worked with the experts, said they became very knowledgeable about Chinese buildings and were proud to see the final result, a royal Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) style hutong residence.

Its interior carries the same modern vibe as the hotel's main building but a plethora of Chinese antiques make it look like a section of the Palace Museum.

Poynder said the Waldorf Astoria actually tried to build a mansion-style functional hotel. She said the hotel was not designed to be in keeping with the latest trends but aimed to be an icon for years to come and maintain the brand's consistency.

"Growing the brand but maintaining the standard to ensure it doesn't denigrate the brand is the most important thing," said Poynder.

True Waldorf service

"The wonderful art collection and the beautiful hotel are just the icing on the cake," said the general manager.

She said people with a passion for engaging with customers and a willingness to grow in their roles were the overriding assets of the hotel and the true Waldorf service.

After working in the hospitality industry for many years and as one of the few women responsible for a global brand hotel in Asia Pacific, Poynder has her own style and believes passion is essential for good service.

"This is probably the hardest thing to get right, to walk that line between being personable and providing the right service," she said.

Championing the brand's design and service standards, the Waldorf Astoria Beijing and its Hutong Courtyard expect people to create unforgettable stories there and be willing to return for more authentic moments in the inspirational environment.

Contact the writer at fuchao@chinadaily.com.cn