Editor’s Note

Welcome to the Hotelier column which profiles the industry skills and personalities of the highly regarded professionals running major hotels in the Yangtze River Delta.

When German hotelier Peter L Herweck was offered to move to Shanghai from Hong Kong in the mid 1990s, it was probably beyond his imagination that his signing of an initial two-year contract to oversee the Yangtze New World Hotel in Hongqiao — a challenge itself for his young family with two small kids at that time — would mark the beginning of a two-decade emotional bond with the city.

Returning to Shanghai in 2017 after spending several years in Brazil and Sanya in Hainan Province, Herweck is now at the helm of the 600-room Golden Tulip Shanghai Rainbow, the worldwide flagship of the Golden Tulip brand. He is also the China president of the European hotel brand, which, together with Louvre Hotels Group, was acquired by Shanghai-based state-owned hospitality giant Jinjiang International in early 2015.

“It is really fascinating to be back to Shanghai, a vibrant, fast-developing metropolis and a magnet for everyone who wants to feel and taste China since it’s the center of it,” Herweck told Shanghai Daily. “All in all, I have spent really half of my professional life in Shanghai, the best time of my life and the same counts for my family.”

Embarking on his hospitality career with a very traditional German hotel company in the 1970s, the apprentice-turned-general manager, whose family is involved in the restaurant business, has developed a strong passion for his job that has become his life.

His professional stints include the UK, France and the Netherlands as well as several Chinese cities — Hong Kong, Shanghai and Sanya.

“The development of the hotel industry in China is faster than anywhere else in the world and the market here is big enough for not only existing but also new brands like Golden Tulip,” he said. “We are a little bit late but it is still very good moment for us to come because people want to experience something new.”

Beginning in 1962 in the Netherlands, Golden Tulip officially launched its worldwide new market positioning of “Playtime, Anytime” with the opening of Golden Tulip Shanghai Rainbow in November 2017. In the heart of the Hongqiao Development Zone, the newly refurbished 30-floor property brings the concept of playful outlook on life, work and travel, enriched by local culture.

“Today’s world is a very stressful one so what we want to offer is a relaxing atmosphere,” said the almost four-decade hotel veteran. “Almost all hotels want to provide their customers with a ‘home away from home’ feeling but I have a different view. People go on holiday or business trips to make them comfortable but also exciting to experience new things.”

Designed to be cheerful, smart, generous, trendy and mind-blowing, Golden Tulip Shanghai Rainbow welcomes its guests with brand new tandem sculptures featured in the hotel revolving door, which highlights its playful positioning as well as its Dutch origin. The innovative signature service of the brand — Body Care Bar — brings a playful experience at check-in to guests of the executive floor who can select the fragrance that matches their mood for their free set of beauty products.

Positioned mainly as a business hotel with leisure travelers accounting for 20 percent, Golden Tulip Shanghai Rainbow’s meeting area, which covers 1,200 square meters including a 700-square-meter ballroom, encourages its guests to mix work and play.

At its creativity meeting room, which is an open, bright and flexible area with a cozy decoration, guests will enjoy playing interesting games during breaks to refresh themselves or even be inspired for some new ideas and solutions.

Guests may also choose to meet and work at “Coffee & Co,” the signature co-working space in the lobby which is highlighted by a barista concept.

A true French experience is delivered through freshly baked French signature pastries and a large selection of coffee from various origins.

“We’ve received very positive feedback from our customers toward the rebranding of this hotel, which has a much brighter and younger appearance now,” Herweck said.

“In addition to changes in color and material, the spaces have been opened up and we have also increased our food and beverage outlets.”

One culinary highlight that should not be missed at Golden Tulip Shanghai Rainbow is L’atelier Quartier, the chic French restaurant on the 30th floor. Guests will discover the best of casual and chic French dining experience in a sophisticated and elegant ambience while those arriving before dusk and choosing to sit next to the windows will be greeted with an unobstructed view of the entire neighborhood.

The Top, the hotel’s rooftop bar located on the same floor, is a perfect venue to enjoy the breeze at night over a drink and a must-go place for selfie addicts as it offers spectacular backdrops.

An accomplished hotelier with a passion to create new things, Herweck is the man behind the authentic Munich Oktoberfest in Shanghai, a merry-making, drinking and feasting extravaganza initiated in 1998 at the Yangtze New World Hotel which has become part of the Shanghai Tourism Festival since 2000.

“We are currently working on some nice events, such as wine events and Christmas markets which should be introduced very soon,” the general manager said, referring to some of his plans to raise the public awareness of the Golden Tulip brand.

“They all have to do with cultures because Shanghai is the city where so many cultures have been brought together.”

A brand with very strong European heritage but indeed a baby player in the China market, Golden Tulip now operates eight hotels across the country in a few cities including Chengdu, Guangzhou, Wuxi, Sanya, Shanghai and Suzhou.

The brand’s China portfolio, both under operation and in the pipeline, will reach 20 by the end of this year and the company has also set a very ambitious target to further expand its China network to 300 hotels over the next five years, according to Herweck.

Located on the 30th floor, casual and chic French restaurant L’Atelier Quartier opens from Tuesday to

Saturday, 6pm to 10pm. It provides a special offer at 856 yuan (US$130) for two people or 456 for one, includes three courses from the a-la-carte menu, one glass of Champagne and one glass of wine. Prices are subject to 16.6 percent service charge and tax.

At L’Atelier Quartier, guests will discover the best of the casual and chic French dining experience with a panoramic view of the bustling Changning District. And not to be missed is the beef short ribs bourguignon, which is perfect for the meat lovers.