Hotel Indigo Tianjin, China
August 17, 2012
Hotel Indigo Tianjin Haihe will be opened on September 15, 2012 in the historic Chinese port city of Tianjin, close to Beijing. This will be the third hotel open in Greater China for Hotel Indigo, the first globally-branded boutique hotel in the world, following openings in Shanghai in 2010 and Xiamen in 2012.
Hotel Indigo Tianjin Haihe is the only boutique hotel in the booming coastal destination, just 27 minutes by bullet train from the Chinese capital of Beijing. It is also the only hotel in China that offers villa-style accommodation in a city centre locale.
True to the Hotel Indigo DNA, it delivers a Refreshingly Local guest experience with a unique contemporary touch. Each Hotel Indigo property is individually designed, reflecting not only the city it resides in but the culture, character and history of its local neighborhood. In Tianjin – a former treaty port where nine countries had self-governing concessions during the late-19th and early-20th centuries – the city’s storied past and vibrant present provide rich inspiration.
“Hotel Indigo Tianjin Haihe is something totally different for Tianjin,” says General Manager Ringo Poon. “The hotel’s style, look and feel is not only fresh and exciting, but unique for Tianjin and China. The hotel has real distinct character, and takes at its heart, the best of Tianjin’s storied history and culture – something that Hotel Indigo represents.”
Occupying an entire triangular block once home to the German Consulate in the Former German Concession neighborhood, the hotel’s 11 individual gorgeous villas pay homage to traditional Germanic architecture with red-brick facades and ornate cupolas. The newly-built villa-style buildings take inspiration from the old German Consulate, the former residence of a Russian businessman and a local church.
The buildings are arranged in a village-like setting overlooking an expansive courtyard garden – a truly unique private “neighborhood within a neighborhood” urban hotel concept.
Stepping inside, internationally renowned design firm Silverfox has created an inspiring and playful environment contrasting fresh contemporary design with distinctive local elements. Tianjin’s eclectic Orient-meets-European heritage and proximity to the Haihe riverfront have been subtly woven into the fabric of the design.
Spread across nine of the villas, the 96 entirely different guestrooms, including 10 suites, start at a generous 45 sqm and come in three distinctive styles: Old Cinema, Haihe Maritime Riverfront and European Luxury. These themes pay homage to aspects of Tianjin’s history and geography, from screening the first non-silent movie in China, to the Hai River that dissects the city, and the global influences of the city’s Concession-era past.
All rooms offer an extensive range of amenities, including high-tech entertainment systems, complimentary high-speed Internet access, spa-style bathrooms and customized furnishings and artworks by local artists.
A taste of local flavor extends to the hotel’s neighborhood restaurant and bar. Albert’s café, named after Albert Kissling who opened the first foreign restaurant in Tianjin, features an eclectic mix of European dishes favorites steeped in local Tianjin history. Signature drinking destination Blaue Engel, a boutique beer house and eatery, opens to the street-front allowing guests to mingle with locals. Named after the first international movie to be screened in China and the first non-silent German movie, Blaue Engel is destined to be the neighborhood’s favorite after-work watering hole.
Guests at Hotel Indigo Tianjin enjoy all the cutting-edge modern comforts of an upscale hotel. These range from the lobby’s “me space”, stocked with Mac computer portals and a Indigo Library featuring a selection of interesting historical and design titles, plus the latest newspapers and magazines from around China and the world. The basement is a funky wellness zone featuring the state-of-the-art FIT gym and dazzling 20-metre indoor heated pool with skylights to the garden above.
Hotel Indigo Tianjin also offers 222 sqm of multi-functional event spaces, including TJs on the third floor of the lobby villa, offering lounge chairs and chill-out areas, and three smaller conference rooms named Dehua, Lianhua and Wenhua for up to 30 people. meetings@Indigo provides business guests with a refreshing and motivating event experience enhanced by fun breaks.
Inspired Service is another cornerstone of the Hotel Indigo experience, where the focus is on personal touches and helpful, courteous conversation. Just like the hotel, staff at Hotel Indigo have big personalities and are happy to share their knowledgeable local insights to enhance each guests’ stay.
Hotel Indigo Tianjin Haihe is conveniently placed in a heart-of-downtown location on landmark Jiefang South Road in the Xiaobailou CBD just a three-minute walk from the Xiawafang subway station, 10 minutes by taxi from Tianjin Train Station and a 25 minute taxi journey from Tianjin Binhai International Airport.
