Architect Jean-Michel Gathy's Ingenious Hotel Designs in China

Gathy, principal designer at Denniston Architects – one of the world's leading hospitality design firms –is a ‘living legend' of hotel design. An architectural master who designs everything by hand rather than with the use of a computer, Gathy and his Denniston team are behind some of the world's most renowned and often ground-breaking luxury hotels. Gathy comments, “There is always structured thinking, our work is balanced, contemporary, chic and appropriate to the site, culture and purpose. It must work, be practical and yet dramatic.”

His Chinese architectural accolades include: Fuchun Resort, a seven-year masterpiece of Jiangnan architecture on the banks of the Fuchun River; Aman at Summer Palace, an imperial urban oasis with a secret door to Beijing's Summer Palace; and The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, a monastic-inspired hideaway, high in the Tibetan Plateau. Looking to the future, this doyen of design has turned his artistic hand to Sanya, Hainan Island, redefining ‘new' Chinese Riviera chic with three landmark hotel openings: Park Hyatt Sanya (February 2015), Andaz Sanya (2016) and One&Only Sanya (2016).

Gathy always seems to be one step ahead of the design curve, anticipating what the modern traveller is seeking – and while new hotel openings overwhelm, he continues to present something distinct, with evocative elegance, capturing that illusive sense of place.

A JEAN-MICHEL GATHY ARCHITECTURAL MASTERCLASS IN CHINA



Fuchun Resort, Hangzhou

Inspired by Huang Gongwang's 13th Century landscape scroll painting – vistas into which the property now harmoniously blends – Fuchun Resort occupies 150 hectares, weaving through verdant hillside tea plantations and misty mountains, reflecting tranquil beauty in its freshwater West Lake setting. Gathy and team spent seven years designing this masterpiece retreat, consciously considered time that is abundantly evident in the exquisite details and elegant spaces that reveal both an internal ambience and external allure.

Each of the 110 guestrooms, suites and villas is an authentic embodiment of Southern Song architecture, mingled with modern techniques: where stylishly simple spaces and delicate décor offer disturbance-free unwinding. Natural materials within echo the bountiful beauty beyond and plentiful leisure activities – an international 18-hole golf course, world-class spa, yoga and tai chi – are designed to relax and rejuvenate. Highlights include:

• Arguably the most beautiful pool in China: a heated, indoor pool pavilion with traditional wood-bracket vaulted ceilings, lacquered columns, black mosaic tiles, stone statues and scenic views to the mountains beyond.

• Asian Corner Restaurant: three lake-facing frontiers suffuse a sense of space, traditional red lanterns and two-story seasonal artworks adorn within, and fine-dining Asian flavours ignite taste buds for a saturation of the senses.



Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing

Adjacent to the East Gate, the hotel mimics the Summer Palace's imperial style, bygone opulence and regal retreat references. A series of century old pavilions – once used for guests awaiting an audience with the Empress – crisscross with serene courtyards, stately pathways and formal gardens. A tribute to Ming Dynasty style, traditional touches are evident in both design and décor: period-style furniture, polished Jin clay tiles, high exposed wooden beam ceilings, geometrically carved wooden screens, lanterns, traditional fabrics and bamboo blinds.

The Aman at Summer Palace is an urban enclave that envelops with a romance of another era, where space and serenity also reveal a modern refinement: 51 stunning rooms and suites, spa, reflection and music pavilions, library and cinema. Highlights include:

• The Imperial Suite comprises three separate pavilions – private, living and formal – for the stateliest of stays. Private dining room, spa treatment room, enclosed courtyard, separate dressing areas and living spaces, filled with drum stool and tah bench details.

• A pond-side Music Pavilion hosts traditional instrumental performances and private dining; The Library houses a resident Chinese calligrapher to demonstrate this highly-stylised ancient art.

• A secret door to the Summer Palace.



The St. Regis Lhasa, Tibet

One of the highest hotels in the world at 12,000 feet above sea level, the 8-acre St. Regis Lhasa overlooks Potala Palace (World Heritage Site and former chief residence of the Dalai Lama) offering serenely scenic Himalaya and Lhasa Valley views. Inspired by the nearby Sera Monastery – a sacred structure built in 1419 – the hotel's design emulates the monastery's dramatic and lively beauty, where an immense sense of place also reveals intimate spaces.

Here, traditional Tibet architecture meets luxury yet sustainable contemporary living. A large, central reflective pool brings together the 150 rooms, 12 suites, multiple dining venues, grand Iridium Spa (1,087 sq. m.) and meditation garden. Channelling the spirit and style, magic and mystery of Tibet, the impressive pillared buildings with dark shale pagoda-style roofs reveal splendid vaulted interiors adorned with exposed natural wood, intricate carvings and earthy hued furnishings, locally woven carpets, Tibetan paintings and traditional artefacts.

• Swimming pool showstopper – the gold energy pool. Glazed gold-plate finish, and setting for bejewelled rejuvenation and treasured time out: poolside massages, food, drink, and gilded floating.



Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay, Hainan Island – Opened February 2015

Design Vision: urban, dressed, elegant, sleek, proud, refined, dramatic, formal glamorous. Surrounded by mountains (yang) and sea (yin) the hotel has been created to balance these energies, and ensure the flow of good Feng Shui.

Occupying an exclusive 350,000 sq. m. private bay inlet on the southern most tip of the island, the Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay evokes the feel of a private mansion by the sea, comprising 207 rooms, suites and villas, including one Chairman's Suite and 17 private butler villas. With a central Chinese village, five swimming pools (including a 100 meter lap pool), lake, private Baifu (Fortune) Bay for water sports, eight dining venues (including Tea House, Cellar, Pool House), spa and nearby eco-adventures – the resort's flexibility is designed around the freedom of a home, just on a grander scale and located in the picturesque and playful ‘Hawaii of China'.

Andaz Sanya Sunny Bay, Hainan Island – Opening 2016 Q3

Design Vision: casual chic, stylish, light colors, playful design statement, giving a Miami beach life appeal to Sanya

Andaz – Hyatt's new boutique brand – appeals to urban professionals: seeking ‘trendy' without the hefty price tag. With two resorts from the same company on the same beach, it is important that the design for both hotels are complementary and not competitive. The Andaz offers a trendy experience with playful colours of yellows and blues and waterfalls within a curved swimming pool. The 183-room hotel will neighbour the new Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay – with the same majestic setting – together creating a mixed-use resort community where guests can select their accommodation experience of choice, yet benefit from a wealth of extra facilities and services. Andaz Sanya Sunny Bay will feature five restaurants, a 2,500 square-foot ballroom and three meeting venues in addition to offering signing privileges at Park Hyatt Sanya's Spa Village, beach club, and fitness centre, restaurants, Tea House and bakery.

One&Only Sanya, Haitang Bay, Hainan Island – Opening 2016

Design Vision: playful yet very sophisticated, amalgam of low-rise and high-rise structures, coalesced by flowing water.

Ultra luxurious, utterly private and water-inspired: One&Only's first resort in China curves through 11 hectares of coconut palms and ancient rosewood trees along an exclusive 380m white-sand azure-water coastline. Vast dramatic water gardens ripple reflectively throughout uniting the various spaces: world-class dining venues, spa private treatment villas and authentic Hammam, fitness centre and kids club; whilst water play activities range from swimming and snorkelling to riding nearby rapids. Spoilt for choice, the 192 accommodation choices include: 5 Mansions, 6 Villas with private pools, Manor House (some of the largest suites in Sanya) and Presidential Suite (floor-to-ceiling windows, baby grand piano, choice of dining venues, wet and dry kitchens and staff quarters).