[photopress:meridien_1_2_3.jpg,full,alignright]On December 1st 2006, in an extraordinary installation of light and art, Le Royal Meridien Shanghai was officially opened with a celebration: The Sky is the Limit. For the display Thierry Dreyfus recreated in light the Shanghai cityscape. This will be a permanent light installation to add to the Shanghai skyline at night.
Five powerful ‘light cannons’ will beam pulsing red light vertically into the sky to create a beating effect which, if you are fanciful, make the Le Royal Meridien Shanghai look as if it is ‘heart of Shanghai’. Inside the hotel at 789 Nanjing Lu Bar, which is on the top 64th, 65th and 66th floors of the hotel, guests will literally see Shanghai in a new light through multi-colored filters on the windows.
This first night experience is illustrative of the new direction of Le Meridien since it was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The idea is to transform Le Meridien into the sort of hotel that attracts the creative guest. To further this idea Le Meridien is forming partnerships with contemporary art institutions around the globe and recently appointed Jerome Sans, a Paris-based arts provocateur, as the brand’s cultural curator.
This is not the first time this has happened. Thierry Dreyfus first worked this magic with Le Meridien San Francisco and made the hotel into ever-changing creation of contemporary art.
Jerome Sans, co-founder of the Palais de Tokyo museum in Parisis is forging partnerships for Le Meridien with contemporary artists and art institutions worldwide. On speaking about the aim of his work with Le Meridien he said, ‘The goal for Le Meridien is first to become a cultural hub for all people attracted to art, design, fashion, by discovery, people who appreciate chic culture in general.’
Le Meridien has formed an alliance with The Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai. The partnership will offer Le Meridien guests special access to MOCA as part of their stay. This idea is being carried forward in the most serious way.
The room key itself was designed by the Franco-Chinese artist Yan Pei-Ming.
Le Royal Meridien Shanghai stands between the historic Nanjing Road East and the greenery of People’s Square. Dominating the skyline with 66 floorsit has 770 rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. And catering for less artistic urges it has 10 restaurants and bars, 2,000 square metres of meeting space, two grand ballrooms, a spa, sauna and gym, an indoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath.
Source: Hospitality Net
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