Shangri-La Debuts First Kerry Hotel

We've been eagerly awaiting the debut of Shangri-La's newest five-star brand, Kerry Hotels, and that day has finally arrived. The new Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai has opened its doors, soaring 31 stories over the new Kerry Parkside complex in the heart of Pudong.

The hotel offers 574 guest rooms and suites, all with views of either Century Park or the city. Each room has in-room consoles with high stools and minibars, 40-inch flat screen televisions, iPod docking stations and complimentary Internet access.

Top touch: Seven floors are devoted to Club accommodation, including 33 suites. Translation: Guests are entitled to 24-hour butler and Club concierge services, such as restaurant and sightseeing tour reservations and exclusive access to the Club Lounge.

Ready to dine? The Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai offers a three-in-one dining concept. The Cook, the main a la carte restaurant (with 11 live show kitchens and a gourmet deli) can seat 365 people. We like the outdoor patio. Tuck into Chinese wok and steam baskets as well as Asian noodles, sushi and Asian barbecue. There is also a wine cellar and a cheese vault.

Our favorite touch is the craft brewery with signature beers (created by the resident brew master!), pub-style dining and live music.

Diners at The Meet will serve up choice steaks and other grill favorites when it opens in April of this year.

Finally The Cook Lounge serves teas by day and cocktails in the dimmer hours.

Slated to open in April is the wellness day spa, with nine treatment suites and areas for health, beauty, physiotherapy and ancient Chinese medicine treatments.

For more information visit www.shangri-la.com.