Shanghai Jumeirah Hotel now open

Dubai-based Jumeirah Group welcomed guests at its new hotel in Pudong last week, giving onlookers an idea of what the company’s expansion into the rest of Asia might look like.

Located opposite the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel is part of the landmark Himalayas Center, owned by Zendai Group. The Himalayas Center is one of Shanghai’s new arts and cultural hubs.

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A massive project in its own right, the center was designed by architect Arata Isozaki -- who also created the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Stadium and the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art -- and is home to the 1,100-seat Daguan Theater, Himalayas Art Museum, a luxury brand mall and a massive outdoor space for events.

The 401-room hotel is an integral part of the Himalayas Center complex, and although only recently opened, it is already fully booked for Shanghai’s upcoming Auto Trade Show taking place across the street.

Prices start at RMB 3,000 for the Shanghai hotel's least deluxe room (calling it basic doesn’t quite seem to fit), and the 62 suites run up to RMB 80,000 a night, according to reports in Urbanatomy.

Although well located for arts and trade shows, there’s little to get excited about in the way of dining options according to Smart Shanghai, with a simple lobby dining area, an all-day dining outlet called Arte Cafe and Lounge, a sushi/teppayaki venue and “Shangh-Hai,” a Chinese restaurant serving Yangtze Delta cuisine on the sixth floor.

Knowing most Shanghai hotels, we’ll bet brunch at a minimum of one of the outlets and high tea will also follow.

Other hotel groups also see Shanghai as the key to brand expansion into China. The Waldorf Astoria recently opened its Huangpu-facing property, as did InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), launching its first upscale boutique brand in Asia in Shanghai, Indigo, in late 2010.