The Great Lounge.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts unveiled its second hotel in Hangzhou, Midtown Shangri-La, Hangzhou, on 12 March. Since establishing its first China property in Hangzhou more than three decades ago, the Hong Kong-based group has returned to the heart of one of the eight ancient Chinese capital cities to open a 417-room property that fuses the best of the past with the best of the present.

The new-build hotel is located in the vibrant Kerry Central Complex -- a modern mixed-use development in downtown Xiacheng district with an office tower, apartments and a high-end shopping mall -- and is a five-minute walk to the historical West Lake and acclaimed UNESCO site. Nearby are the high-speed train station and international airport, as well as another renowned World Heritage cultural site, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.

"We couldn't be more excited to open a second hotel in Hangzhou and extend Shangri-La's genuine heart-warming hospitality to travelers arriving at a destination that melds history with modernity. Shangri-La will continue to play an important role in curating authentic guest experiences to showcase the qualities that make Hangzhou so special," said Shangri-La President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Dogan.

Midtown Shangri-La, Hangzhou is a setting where the essence of the West Lake is present around the 13-storey hotel. Art objects, from a traditional silk painting of the lake in the lobby, to a custom designed chandelier that mimics rippling water are displayed in homage to the breathtaking landmark.