CHINA’S NEWSHERATON HOTEL

• In keeping with its status as a rising global superpower, China is showing off its new wealth with an increasing number of landmark buildings.

• But this could be the most incredible yet. The 27-storey Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, looms over the skyline of Huzhou, near Shanghai, in the shape of a massive glowing dounut.

• Set on the shores of Lake Taihu and offering 321 spacious guest rooms, including 44 suites and 39 villas, it's an ideal destination for China's newly affluent business class

Big glowing doughnut: The 27-storey Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, looms over the skyline of Huzhou, near Shanghai

China in the 21st Century: A classic Chinese junk sails the waters of Lake Taihu as the Sheraton Huzhou soars across the horizon

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Offering 321 guest rooms, including 44 suites and 39 villas, the hotel is an ideal destination for China's newly affluent business class

At just seven degrees north of the Tropic of Cancer, Huzhou has a subtropical monsoon climate and an average annual temperature of 12.2-16.1C

Imperial splendour: The lobby of the Sheraton Huzhou is lit by 20,000 Swarovski and European natural crystal lamps arranged in a wave-like formation across its ceiling. The floor is paved with Afghan White Jade and

Tiger's Eye Stone from Brazil

Known as 'The City of Silk', the ancient metropolis is situated on the southern shores of Lake Taihu in the northern part of Zheijang Province. It is hailed as the birthplace of the Far East's famous tea culture.

Guests to the Sheraton Huzhou will stay in the most opulent surroundings

Luxury: Another view of the hotel's sumptuous lounge, which is decorated with beautiful Chinese art including this magnificent sculpture

Grand: The lobby lounge of the Sheraton Huzhou is an ideal spot to meet over coffee or cocktails

Ultra modern: The Sheraton Huzhou's Feast Signature restaurant, where guests can enjoy classic dishes from an international menu in luxurious surroundings

Al fresco dining: On hot days diners at the Feast restaurant can enjoy their meals on this beautiful terrace

Traditional: The Yue Chinese restaurant, where guests can enjoy the finest in local cuisine

A private dining room of the Yue restaurant that would be ideal for high-powered business dinners with movers and shakers in China's vibrant industrial economy

While the hotel, which is designed by Beijing-born architect Ma Yanson, appears in the shape of a horseshoe the bottom ends are in fact connected by two basement levels. The ostentatious lobby is lit by 20,000 Swarovski and European natural crystal lamps arranged in a wave-like formation across its ceiling, while the flor is paved with Afghan White Jade and Tiger's Eye Stone from Brazil.

There are three restaurants, catering for tastes both domestic and international, each with private rooms, and informal liaisons can be conducted over cocktails of coffee in one of the two lounges

Just look: One of the hotel's deluxe twin rooms, complete with panoramic views over Lake Taihu

First-class comfort: The sitting room of one of the Sheraton Huzhou's Club Suites, again with floor to ceiling fenestration looking out over the lake

Perfect for a romantic getaway: Junks sail past in the morning mist, as seen through the windows of one of the hotel's luxurious Studio Suites

Two double beds in one of the Sheraton Huzhou's Twin Premier Rooms. Each room includes a private balcony, a large work desk with an ergonomic chair, High Speed Internet Access, an LCD flat screen television, and an iPod docking station

Clean and well-appointed: A King Premier Room. Other features of the accommodation include walk-in wardrobes, in-room safes, ironing boards and wake-up and housekeeping services

A guest bathroom in one of the resort's suites: Decorated in marble, they include sunken bathtubs and 'rainforest' showers

Each of the Sheraton Huzhou's guest rooms includes a private balcony, a large work desk with an ergonomic chair, High Speed Internet Access, an LCD flat screen

television, and an iPod docking station.Suites boast marble bathrooms complete with sunken bathtubs and walk-in

'rainforest' showers. While the hotel, like much of what is going on in China, seems geared towards

businessmen, with vast and well-equipped conference facilities and 16 meeting spaces covering a total of 2,200sq/m.

Sheraton boasted: 'The Grand Ballroom is ideal for large, lavish gatherings or conferences. Private meeting rooms on the 22nd floor offer a heightened level of

exclusivity, while the best lake view can be appreciated from the 300-square-meter multipurpose Taihu Room on the 27th floor.

'The resort’s event facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, and our planning and banquet teams will work with you on every detail.'

Time for a dip: The indoor swimming pool, part of a fully featured fitness and spa complex within the Sheraton Huzhou

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Cardio and resistance training machines in the hotel's fully equipped gym, because high-powered guests work best after a workout

Be pampered: The intimate surroundings of one of the hotel's spa treatment rooms, where guests can enjoy massages and, no doubt, traditional holistic Chinese procedures like acupuncture

Guests can book in for treatments at the resort's holistic spa, which features a steam room, saunas and a range of hydrotherapy pools. A fitness centre offers gym equipment, aerobics

classes and massage treatments.

Sheraton said in a statement: 'The hotel’s numerous facilities are designed to help you stay busy or relax. Keep in touch with home and the office via complimentary High Speed Internet Access;

our business centre offers additional support services.

'Maintain your workout regimen at our modern fitness centre, featuring state-of-the-art machines, cardiovascular equipment, and a stretch area, or take a refreshing dip in our indoor or

outdoor pools.

'Within a haven of tranquillity, pamper yourself with a treatment in our holistic Shine Spa for Sheraton. Choose from a range of treatments that have originated throughout the world.'

The Grand Ballroom with banquet set up, part of conference and meeting spaces at the Sheraton Huzhou covering a total of 2,200sq/m

The Grand Ballroom with classroom set up is pictured left. Right shows the luxurious foyer to the Grand Ballroom

Business-oriented: Salon 9 at the Sheraton Huzhou with Reception Setup. The resort ‘s event facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, and our planning and banquet teams will work with clients on every detail

Gather the members of the board of directors: The Sheraton's Salon 7 with a U-shape desk configuration that would be perfect for high-powered meetings

The Sheraton Huzhou's 1,600sq/m private wedding island. The hotel employs a full time wedding coordinator to help them guests ensure their big day goes smoothly

Tourists are well catered for too. For guests who want to celebrate a special day there is a 1,600sq/m private wedding island and a full time wedding coordinator on hand to help them make sure it all goes smoothly.And for those who merely want to take in the sites of Huzhou, a city dating back some 2,300 years, there is the unique 8th-century Feiying Ta Pagoda, the 14th-century Temple of the Iron Buddha and the Anji Bambbo Museum, set in beautiful forests showcasing more than 300 species where visitors can learn about the history and culture of bamboo.

For nature lovers there is also Mogan Mountain; one of China’s best summer resorts, the picturesque area is filled with wild bamboo, hundreds of springs and waterfalls, and some 200 villas representing various architectural styles from all over the world.

An ancient door lock on a building in Huzhou. The ancient metropolis dates back some 2,300 years and is hailed as the birthplace of the Far East's famous tea culture

Sunset over the water: Visitors can enjoy nature at Lake Taihu. Famous for its limestone formations, this scenic and popular attraction is China¿s third-largest freshwater lake and home to about 90 islands

Visitors can enjoy more nature at Lake Taihu. Famous for its limestone formations, this scenic and popular attraction is China’s third-largest freshwater lake and home to

about 90 islands.

And golfers can play a round at the Huzhou Hot Springs Golf Club, rated the #1 golf course in China

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