WITH its first-class design, ecological system, picturesque scenery and high-end facilities, the Fairmont Yangcheng Lake is like a pearl at the east side of calm and peaceful Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province.

Cycling around the lake in the sunshine, learning to do some farm jobs and enjoying the lake’s hairy crab are among the most relaxing things you can do on a weekend. The Fairmont Yangcheng Lake has everything you need.

“The hotel, at the best location of Yangcheng Lake peninsular, not only offers the top facilities and services for MICE business but also has an ecological environment for guests who want to absorb into nature,” says Jeff Cheng, general manager of Fairmont Yangcheng Lake who has 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. “To satisfy guests’ needs, we offer various personalized services and MICE facilities. We seek to help the guests turn moments into unforgettable memories.”

To become a high-quality service hotel, great attention has been paid to all details from reservation to check-in, from room design to amenities, from dining to MICE events.

The 200 deluxe guestrooms range from the 45-square-meter Fairmont park-view rooms to a 460-square-meter presidential suite. All rooms feature a contemporary Asian design and are adorned with classical art and wooden sculptures from southeastern China. Among the top-level amenities available in the rooms, guests can enjoy bath products by renowned London perfumer Miller Harris and delightful Sealy bedding. The entire hotel is equipped with the advanced INNcontrol II guestroom control system that automatically adjusts the air conditioning, lights and other electric applications in the rooms during guest check-in for maximum comfort and energy efficiency. The indoor check-in and butler are available. The hotel encourages guests to enjoy the nature and magnificent scenery of the lake.

“We also have rich experience and personalized meeting packages for events, conferences and team-building. To create a relaxing meeting environment, we take advantage of the surroundings and offer guests precisely what they want in terms of meeting and conferencing needs — from different types of indoor and outdoor ballrooms to all kinds of meeting facilities and services,” says Cheng.

There are altogether 2,200 square meters of indoor and outdoor event space, the most in Kunshan. The 1,130 square-meter column-free Kunyun Hall Grand Ballroom boasts a 560-square-meter foyer and lake views. Ranging from 67 square meters to 156 square meters, four function rooms offer flexible compositions. The idyllic water park building alongside the lake is perfect for themed events, exhibitions and team-building activities. It is also a great place for rock climbing, fishing, canoeing, practicing golf, getting a hands-on farm experience, DIY cookie making and barbecues. Themed coffee breaks with fresh fruits from the farm are also available. After the meeting, guests can enjoy Chinese cultural performances such as Kunqun opera, one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera, and tea ceremony. The Curve bar features a relaxing ambience, perfectly mixed cocktails and a live band with a panoramic view of Yangcheng Lake through floor-to-ceiling windows.

The hotel has four restaurants offering local, organic ingredients.

“Our hotel aims to protect the seashore, water and soil. We want the guest to be involved in this ecology circle. You can experience being a farmer by feeding the animals, picking the vegetables and enjoying the harvest,” says Cheng. “The coming Wugu restaurant, which is named after five basic grains in China, realizes the ‘farm to table’ concept. We offer fresh and organic food.”

The Wugu restaurant delivers the freshest organic food from the farm nearby and authentic local food experiences. There is also a Wugu culinary studio, which is for guests and visitors to take culinary classes and learn how organic vegetables grow. It covers introductory cooking skills featuring everything from Chinese and Western dishes to exotic pastries and desserts. Corporate groups will be able to take part in team-building activities with the field-to-kitchen cooking lessons and cooking competitions.

Children will also be delighted when they receive their own passport, menu and gown at the new Kids Discovery Club. They can explore many activities and items from a welcome ice cream or cookie each time they stay, to the kids play room, large playground and daily activities at a water park. The Discovery School program introduces children to nature and science with workshops and classes. They can also try the farm experience, according to the season. In spring, they can learn rice transplanting. In autumn, they enjoy the harvest. They know how the food is grown and learn to cherish it. Parents can also experience honey tasting, picking tea leaves, collecting fruit and catching hairy crabs.

As an experienced hotelier, Cheng keeps the concept of being a proactive leader and using the right person. “I focus on the skill and the people who have imagination, innovation and initiative. Keeping the nature of each staff and training them to show their inner kindness are the keys to give the guests a relaxing feeling and make them at home,” he says.

Best deal

Gather your family and head to Yangcheng Lake to celebrate the joy of Christmas and the festive holiday season at Fairmont Yangcheng Lake. The hotel has lots of exciting recreational activities to fill your days and dining experiences to tempt your taste buds.

• One night accommodation with two breakfasts

• Christmas or New Year welcome amenity

• One hour complimentary kids playroom

• Selected recreation activities for two persons

Rates start from 998 yuan (US$162) plus 15 percent surcharge per night. It is valid from December 14 to January 3, 2015.

GM’s Favorite

Jeff Cheng’s favorite restaurant is Steak & Oyster Restaurant at Shanghai’s Old Dock. First, it is 100 percent next to the Huangpu River, unlike most of the restaurants on the Bund area that are separated from the river by Zhongshan Road, this restaurant is by the river, has both indoor and outdoor area. The steak is affordable but yet cooked professionally, and the highlight is the variety of fresh oysters from different regions of the world. Instead of busy buzz high priced Sunday brunch, this restaurant provides you the quality, atmosphere and value for money.

Footprint

July 2014-Current:

General manager of Fairmont Yangcheng Lake

2012-2014:

Hotel manager of Fairmont Nanjing

2011-2012:

Resident manager of InterContinental Shanghai Puxi

2009-2011:

Resident manager of InterContinental Foshan