Northstar

FEATURE www.travelweeklyweb.com the locals. Shanghai is all that and more, and unlike many other cities that have unceremoniously surrendered to the crumbling of their beginnings, no thanks to modernisation and that appetite for development, Shanghai's sophistication fares high on that pedestal of modesty and charm, progressing yet humbly paying homage to a past they call their own. Blending peacefully in the Bund Stunning, uninterrupted view of the Huangpu River, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai certainly stays true to its identity – embracing the city's heyday by wearing the likes of jazz era architectural influences unto itself, a historical remnant of the western invasion. And I'm not just talking about its world-renowned jazz bar, but also its location; nicely tucked in on a street designed to merge in to the exquisite layout towards the Bund. And not to forget The Cathay Room; Shanghai's premier fine-dining destination since the 1930s, returning to the Bund promenade with refreshing twists that are bound to tantalise your taste buds. Taking it to the next level, The Cathay Room at Fairmont Peace Hotel showcased its outdoor terrace in May this year, along with a new Chef de Cuisine on board, offering travellers a new culinary experience. Trevor Macleod, the newly arrived Chef de Cuisine features all-time European classics on his menu such as "Duck a L'Orange", and "Pan Seared Foie Gras", and paired with modern dishes of his own. An in-house trained "Fairmont Chef", with almost ten years of experience at various Fairmont Hotels & Resorts establishments and extensive travels through North America, South East Asia and the Middle East, Macleod is thrilled to embark on his journey at Shanghai's historic Cathay Room and promises an exciting and tantalizing experience for the Chinese palates. The Cathay Room's newly renovated and opened outdoor terrace offers its guests stunning 180-degree panoramic view of the City's Pudong skyline and an elegant, yet intimate ambiance. Majestically perched, the airy Terrace on the ninth floor of the Fairmont Peace Hotel is the newest outdoor dining on the Bund. "With the opening of the Cathay Room Terrace, we hope to provide a unique experience ideal for any occasion – the finest culinary experience, splendid view, a sociable environment and attentive service," explains Mazen Abilmona, director of food and beverage, Fairmont Peace Hotel. Fairmont Peace Hotel on its own has gained pretty much celebrity status with the flux of interest key filmmakers have on its venue. And this is not surprising at all. It is after all, the hotel that once housed famous names including politicians, financiers, entrepreneurs, important Chinese officials and celebrities, such as General Marshall, Charlie Chaplin and Bernard Shaw. It was also here that Noel Coward completed his famous play "Private Lives". A gothic fantasy Most times, I get tired of the same old, same old. Travellers are always expecting different – something new, something that requires one to discover, experience, something special to gain that bragging rights when they return home to their friends and loved ones. And that is why people travel. To find themselves, to lose themselves, www.travelweeklyweb.com Afternoon tea at Moller Villa to get to a place bec a us e of t h a t hunger to uncover. And in Shanghai , there is a place for one to escape into a castle of beautiful dre ams. No, I'm not talking about fa i r y t a le land of myst ic rivers and saviour warriors. This villa, has a tale of i ts own and it started in 1919, when shipping magnate Eric Moller started his adventure in Shanghai. Fro m h o r s e racing to shipping, Moller moved to engage the famous Huagai architects to design a castle, dreamt by his own daughter who sketched it out. Making her dream come true, works on the castle started in 1927 and completed in 1936 and is an emblem of incomparable architectural style that mixes the best of east meets west. A masterpiece of well-designed shapes, from sharp pavilion roof to colourful fi rebricks and roof tiles that wrap the castle top, the castle is now known as Moller Villa, which also houses a garden of 2,000 square metres. A bronze statue stands in the garden, a triumphant memorial of the horse on which Moller made his fortune. In January of 2001, Moller Villa was acquired by Hengshan Group which rebuilt it into a classic and luxurious hotel, in the aim of retaining its beauty and placing a great emphasis on both its history and functionality. Behind its Gothic fantasy-like structure with unique tudor steeples, along with signs of Moller's shipping background that adorn the cabin-like windows are modern conveniences that are made available to the current day travellers. With 43 rooms, satellite television, internet, and high level Chinese and western cuisine and services such as wedding banquets are also offered to the discerning guests. Shanghai certainly grows exponentially on me, with these intricate details. One moment you are at that part of town which alleys in to a whole new world that houses the hopes of young, budding designers and their brands and the very next moment you fi nd yourself walking into a scenic view of a neoclassical shopping haven to fulfil your materialistic desires while munching on a shengjian bao (pork-filled buns). Perhaps this is the city that wants more, still gripping on to its nostalgic lilong (traditional Shanghai neighbourhoods), a city that doesn't learn to let go of its past. But if the glories from the past hold dear and the past defi nes the city, it'll be exciting to look forward to the near future to see how Shanghai's identity transform to a newer level of new, with an older past that may continue to charm the hearts of many. 10 JULY 2012 | TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA ■ | 5

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