Making its mark as the first international luxury brand to open in the city in the past decade, the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Dalian has stood as a beacon of style and sophistication in the Donggang harbour district in the city centre. Surrounded by harbour views and panoramic vistas across an urban landscape of tree-lined streets and colourful squares to the mountains beyond, guests are wrapped in the luxurious comfort and genuine care Four Seasons teams provide.
“Four Seasons Hotel Dalian marks our entry into China’s Northeast and another milestone in our strategic growth in China and the broader region,” said Rainer Stampfer, Four Seasons President, Global Operations, Hotels and Resorts.
“As we continue to grow, this project exemplifies our approach to introducing new luxury experiences that are uniquely reflective of their destinations, with every thoughtful detail setting the stage for the caring service for which Four Seasons is globally renowned.”
With humble beginnings as a fishing village on the Liaodong peninsula, the city first became a port around the turn of the last century, connecting people and goods by rail and boat from northern China, Russia, Japan and beyond. In recent times, Dalian has emerged as an important hub of business, industry, science and transportation in the region, and thanks to its rich multicultural history and myriad recreational opportunities, it continues to grow as a leisure destination.
It's this history that inspired the interiors of the NBBJ Shanghai-designed building by acclaimed international firm Hirsch Bedner Associates of Singapore. The design concept for Four Seasons Hotel Dalian draws inspiration from the rich historical tapestry of the city, particularly its deep-rooted connection with trains and the romantic allure associated with Dalian. The team further played on the idea of the city’s four distinct seasons in creating subtle transitions through the Hotel’s public spaces, beginning with elements of winter in the 41st-floor lobby, through a spring colours and materials palette in event spaces, to a bright and sunny ambience in the spa and wellness centre, including its stunning indoor pool on the 38th floor. Finally, autumn’s warmth and earthy colours create a feeling of luxurious comfort in the Hotel’s 254 guest rooms and suites on the 23rd to 36th floors.
Subtle design elements evoke the romance of train travel, from track-like graphics embedded in the lobby’s marble flooring and bespoke woven carpets in the guest rooms, to softly curved ceilings in the grand ballroom and framing guest room views that suggest a private sleeping car racing through the countryside. Large-scale commissioned artworks, including a series of showstopping lighting elements, further reflect Dalian’s diverse landscape and incredible views in every direction.
The interiors of the Hotel’s signature restaurants were conceived by Tokyo-based Strickland, which drew inspiration directly from the city’s history and culture to create authentic and unforgettable experiences. This includes the traditional florals and fabric wall art in the modern setting of Japanese restaurant Yotsuba, the fiery red colour scheme that sets an elegant stage for classic Cantonese cuisine at Saai Yue Heen, and the bustling, European-influence market vibe of HUIHAI.
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