Shanghai, China – Recently, The Westin Bund Center Shanghai announced the introduction of its Heavenlies Lobby Lounge as a unique event space. This addition brings the total available space to 1,845 sqm comprising 18 versatile meeting and conference venues.

“We are delighted to add Heavenlies Lobby Lounge into our inventory of available event space. I am confident that event organizers will welcome this initiative as Heavenlies is not only a unique space surrounded by feng shui elements, but also features an immense amount of natural light from the expansive skylight,” said Andreas Trauttmansdorff, General Manager of The Westin Bund Center Shanghai. “The magnificent glass staircase, the first cantilevered staircase constructed in China, could  also be used as a stage for live performances and speeches,” he added.

“The feng shui elements found at Heavenlies give this venue good luck,” emphasized Sophie Wang, Director of Sales & Marketing of The Westin Bund Center Shanghai. “The space is surrounded by the five elements. Earth, metal, water, wood and fire are all represented here,” she added.

The hotel has also introduced a meeting butler service to help the event planner plan and orchestrate every meeting detail to perfection. As a liaison between the event planner and other departments of the hotel, the meeting butler will conduct a pre-conference meeting with the event planner seven working days prior to the event, and review every detail with the event planner 48 hours prior to the event. The meeting butler will also provide a personalized meet and greet service for every guest of the meeting group upon check-in and is on call 24 hours to assist the event planner.

The hotel also offers the latest LED screen as an event backdrop that can also be used as a presentation screen, as well as meeting planner kits (including meeting stationery) prepared by the hotel to help event planners pack light as all information required is uploaded onto an iPad.

In addition, event planners who are SPG members will soon enjoy more benefits when they register themselves for SPG Pro. Set to debut in October 2014, this new program will offer meeting and travel professionals SPG elite status, upgrades and Starpoints in one easy SPG account. For more details, visit www.spg.com/pro.

How The Westin Bund Center makes use of feng shui

Mr Elijah Frankle Widjaja, the founder and visionary, who developed The Westin Bund Center, worked with architect John Portman to come up with the "king's throne" design idea; whereby the Bund Center office tower makes up the back of the throne, with a crown on top, and the two hotel buildings make up the two arm rests of the throne.

The hotel uses biblical references, as well as feng shui, throughout the property. For example, in the Heavenlies lobby lounge, the hotel makes use of the five elements: earth, metal, water, wood and fire.

Earth: the natural stones and marbles used on the floor.

Metal: the Heavenly staircase frame is made of glass and metal.

Water: surrounding the "island" design of Heavenlies, and also in the central water feature.

Wood: reflected in the tall palm trees.

Fire: reflected in the "burning bush", a central sculpture made of blown glass which is placed in the middle of Heavenlies. The burning bush is a reference from the bible.

Heavenlies sits at the heart of Westin in a large atrium, directly under a glass ceiling where guests can enjoy natural sunlight.

About The Westin Bund Center Shanghai

Just a stroll away is the magnificent Bund architectural site and waterfront. Yu garden, a 400-year-old classical Chinese garden and the popular pedestrian shopping precinct on Nanjing Road are also within short walking distance. Lujiazhui Financial District is a mere 10-minute taxi ride away. Guests will be pleasantly delighted on arrival with the grand atrium lobby featuring a striking cantilevered glass staircase inlaid with delicate rice paper and beautiful soft-glow lighting. With 570 tastefully-decorated guest rooms and suites offered in two towers, other services and facilities include restaurants serving Chinese, Italian and international favorites including the city's famous Sunday Brunch, a Westin Workout fitness centre with indoor swimming pool and Banyan Tree Spa.

The Westin Bund Center Shanghai is located at 88 Henan Middle Road, Shanghai 200002, China. Tel: (86 21) 6335 1888.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts has been a leader in wellness and hospitality for more than a decade. Today, Westin has 200 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, and is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with nearly 1,200 properties in 100 countries and 181,400 employees at its owned and managed properties.  Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands:  St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®.  The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates.  Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands.  For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.