Sofitel Luxury Hotels hotel signs new Shanghai hotel

Shanghai is becoming quite the envy of hoteliers. Just this week, the Ritz-Carlton opened its second Shanghai property, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, and earlier this year The Peninsula Shanghai opened its doors to China travelers. Both hotels come just in time for the flood of tourists descending on Shanghai for the World Expo 2010. Now comes word another luxury hotel group is hot on the heels of Shanghai hoteliers.

Sofitel Luxury Hotels announced it signed a new flagship hotel in Shanghai – Sofitel Shanghai Jing’an – which will open early 2011.

This will be the fourth Sofitel in Shanghai and will be located in the center of the city. The Sofitel Shanghai Jing’an will stand at the intersection of Beijing Road and Jiangning Road, steps away from the famous Nanjing Road and near the museums and the Shanghai convention center.

The future Sofitel Shanghai Jing’an will occupy 32 of the building’s 61 floors, offering 515 rooms, 82 of them suites, on levels 29 through 54. Guests will have the option of dining in the Lobby Lounge or one of two restaurant. The top level, on the 55th floor, will feature a bar with views of both the east and west of the city.

We want to know what you think: With all the luxury hotels opening in Shanghai, is Shanghai the new jewel of China?

Daily Pampering: A classic ride at the Peninsula Beverly Hills


If you’ve always wanted to ride in a 1961 Fort T-Bird or 1932 Studebaker Commander but never quite had the means, this Beverly Hills hotel has a deal for you. Starting March 28, guests enjoying Sunday Brunch at The Belvedere, the restaurant at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, can leave their meal in a chauffeured class car. Thanks to the hotel’s partnership with El Segundo’s Automobile Driving Museum, these classic cars are available for a ride during the “Dine and Drive” promotion.

The Belvedere restaurant’s three-course Sunday Brunch isn’t for amateurs. Aside from the “Duck & Eggs,” Prince Edward Island Mussels, Rock Shrimp Frittata and “Kobe Style” Flat Iron Steak is a mouth-watering pastry buffet for dessert.

The Dine & Drive Sunday Brunch is available April 11 through April 25, 2010, from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm. The price is $59 per person and $32 for children under 12, exclusive of tax and gratuity. An additional $20 donation to the non-profit Automobile Driving Musuem in El Segundo is appreciated for the ride in a classic car.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.