BREAKING NEW GROUND

In line with Amanresorts founder Adrian Zecha’s well-known penchant for Zen-like serenity and clean elegance, it’s no surprise that lovers of luxury hotels the world over (particularly his loyal legion of fans, often referred to as “Amanjunkies”) are awaiting the first in a new collection of hotels with bated breath.

To be launched under the Ahn Luh banner, it’s a result of the collaboration between Zecha and the Beijing Tourism Group’s Duan Qiang who envisioned a new brand together, one that contains the essence of Chinese hospitality with distinctly traditional elements, while celebrating the vision of luxury, comfort and elegance Zecha is renowned for. Zecha’s input comes by way of Ahn Luh’s joint venture partnership with General Hotel Management (GHM) Ltd, a company Zecha co-founded and is still involved in.

Backed by two industry strongmen, guests can expect a unique take on Chinese-inspired hospitality, with each Ahn Luh property strongly reflecting the spirit of its location. Scholars of the Chinese language would also be quick to note that ahn means tranquillity and harmony, while luh refers to a hillside hermitage or retreat. With this in mind, each Ahn Luh stay is designed to offer guests harmony, stillness and contentment within a luxurious cocoon set amidst backdrops of stunning natural landscape and sublime surroundings.

With the first Ahn Luh set to open this summer in China’s Qingpu district of Zhujiajiao, a short drive away from Shanghai, it will boast just 35 rooms – exceedingly bijou by China’s standards. “It is certainly an honour to be able to helm the first Ahn Luh in Zhujiajiao,” shares its hotel manager, Simon Kong. Born in Kedah, Kong has been working in the hospitality industry since 1991 and spent the past seven years working with the Banyan Tree group, including at its acclaimed property in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lijiang.

“The Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao will have several factors working in its favour,” says Kong, “namely the fact it’s just an hour from Shanghai. Zhujiajiao is also one of China’s four celebrated water villages, the others being Wuzhen, Xitang and Tongli. Its history dates back almost 2,000 years and it is remarkably well-preserved, so our guests will be able to easily explore and walk around the interesting warren of canals and arched stone bridges of this ancient fan-shaped town before returning back to the comfort and privacy of the Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao.”

Embracing its Chinese roots and surroundings, each Ahn Luh property will also offer Old World Chinese touches, like traditional breakfast menus featuring local buns and noodles (although Western meals may be served on request), a tea ceremony upon arrival, tai chi exercise sessions in the courtyard as well as complimentary cultural activities that may change from day to day, like calligraphy, fan-making or local art displays.

One of Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao’s focal points of attraction will be its lobby, a restored court house that dates back to the days of the early Qing Dynasty. An old Ming opera theatre is also on-site, which Kong says will be used for special events.  “The main public areas are all steeped in history although our rooms will be newly-built, with every modern luxury afforded.”

Hot on Zhujiajiao’s heels would be the Ahn Luh Lanting in Shaoxing, another ancient river town near Hangzhou, scheduled to open soon. “It is always exciting to open a new hotel, let alone the first for a new brand. All I am aiming for now is to do exceedingly well, in order to set the benchmark for the other Ahn Luhs in the pipeline,” says Kong.