Shanghai has become the site of InterContinental Hotels Group’s milestone 200th hotel opening globally, with the property built into the side wall of an abandoned quarry on the city’s outskirts.
Located at the Sheshan Mountain Range, Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland features two floors above ground level and 16 below, two of which are underwater. Guests have access to 336 rooms offering waterfall and cliffside views stretching 88 metres below ground. The new hotel was developed by Shimao Group.
Among the accommodations situated below the water line is a two-storey loft style apartment, featuring a living room and outdoor terrace, while guests sleep underwater encased in an aquarium. Additional hotel rooms under the water are priced at a premium level and complemented by 24/7 butler service.
Positioned just above water level is the Club InterContinental Lounge offering spaces for relaxation, social gatherings and meetings for its high-tiered loyalty guests.
Days after opening, the hotel has already been nominated as one of the world’s greatest architectural and engineering marvels by National Geographic Channel’s MegaStructures series.
InterContinental Hotel Group Chief Marketing Officer for Greater China, Lin Wang, described the new hotel as an “architectural masterpiece”.
“IHG has maintained staggering growth since entering the Chinese market in 1984, and the opening of InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland marks a significant milestone in our development strategy and further enhances our luxury portfolio in China.
“The hotel is ready to welcome guests to a world of alluring luxury and natural wonder.”
In celebrating the milestone opening, London-based artist Haut de Gamme – real name Alexander Hall – has created an art installation consisting of 200 champagne bottles. Each has been decorated in the artist’s signature drip paint style to feature each city in which InterContinental hotels are positioned. The finished installation has been suspended to creatively reveal the number ‘200’ in its arrangement.