Modern Luxury

The Westin Shanghai is promoting a new concept with its in room workouts, sponsored by Reebok (or is it Rbk these days?). The concept is borne out of a need for high level executives whose schedules are so frenetic they don't have time for the rigmarole of gyms. The Westin Grand suite has thus been converted to accommodate an exercise machine and various other pieces equipment to facilitate a work-out how and when they guest desires.

The Westin's Grand Suite is very appealing. The art work and exotic flowers, the sand and lime hues, sliding-doors and unique furniture designs, are a rare blend of orient and occident, modern and classic, that is subtle and sophisticated, yet at times a little impractical and inconsistent. The art collection, with the flowers on display are a testament to a great deal of thought that has gone into the design of this room they give the room a definite personality and a hominess to the classy decoration.

The in room work out is contained within an annexed room that features an enormous treadmill in its centre. The machine is so large and black it dominates the entire room. The farthest wall has a mirror with the frosted words, West Workout, yet there is little else, besides the behemoth to suggest that this room is in fact a 'work out' room. Inside a cupboard there is a selection of fitness related material which would suggest that the person staying in the room had the time to lounge and scan through searching for exercise tips. There is a medicine ball, some turbo multi-weight dumb bells, a yoga ball a yoga mat and a pilates instructional DVD.

It took me a few moments of infectively poking touch-screen console to figure out that the machine had yet to be turned on. After unsuccessfully searching for the button, I looked for a manual; there was none, so I continued to look for the 'on switch' which I found at its base. Once engaged the machine proved to be a tireless work master. Its relentless revolutions had me exhausted and extraordinarily sweaty. All the sofas are upholstered and the floors carpeted; neither of which are the best place to cast a sweat soaked body after the rigors of the treadmill.

Unaccustomed as I am to the therapy or yoga ball, I was a little unsure of my perch and became nervous of falling into the narrow channel afforded between the machine and the walls. It was awkward and in some cases (the 'Saw' spinal stretch for example) impossible to follow the DVD in the space provided. The living room area is perhaps better suited to unfurling the mat and balancing on balls but not without moving furniture. Also it has to be warned that the ball is a devil if it gets in the way of your step and should be kept in the exercise room at all times.

. After which the bathroom is brilliantly fitted with a glass wall by the bed so that one can watch the television whilst one soaks in the tub. After an extended soak it is time to stretch out on the heavenly bed. Is this the most comfortable bed in Shanghai? It welcomes the body as you would imagine a cloud would to a ray of sunshine. Stress and tension groan and protest but irresistibly yield to an evening in between these sheets. The rest after the workout is made deeply relaxing by this superb combination of luxiant fabrics, down feathers, and springy mattress.

The master bedroom with its en suite facilities is hampered by one feature alone. The cramping television box which is so out of keeping with the theme of modernity and luxury, this is a huge wood veneer chipboard box that simply sits at the foot of the bed, obstructs the passage to the bathroom and has a kind of 'motel' feel. There is no sleek, minimalist concept behind this piece of furniture. It is an eyesore and in complete contrast to the living area which is full of the Westin's unique interior design which is intelligent inspiring and unobstrusive.

t has to be stressed that this is a pilot scheme and as with all things in their infancy there are teething problems yet this is a sound concept time and with some modifications will no doubt become a real favourite with Westin guests. Whatever faults there are, there is still scope for a hefty workout inroom, privately, without the spying eyes of other exercisers

Business Centre: Is an extremely well stocked facility catering for all office needs. It is stylishly decorated with the Westins superb interior designs which feels a little more like a sophisticated cigar lounge than an office. There are 4 large desks with flats screen PCs with printers available. Almost any piece of office equipment can be rented from: polycom conferencing sets to lap tops, mobile phones to digital cameras.

The Westin atrium is so well bathed in light it may as well be a conservatory or biosphere. Surrounded by a pebbled stream, the Stage, with its slightly over-the-top, throne seats, is the Westin buffet restaurant. The breakfast catered with a bias for the oriental diet, with a satlite noodle bar, maybe they could separte them into sections as opposed to having miso soup next to the toaster, fried rice next to baked beans. It all seemed in little disorderly. The fare was decent but I was disappointed by the sausages (given that the executive chef is German!) and further by the bacon which I thought looked a lot like out local Hornel variety. Their award winning Prego is in itself a restaurant worth visting. Dario heads a impressive range of Italian dishes, the mezzelune a kind of tortelina, with seafood ragout, comes highly recommended, as does any of the authentic topping heavy pizzas.

Spa & Heath Club
The Banyan Tree have rooted one of their spas next to the Westin Fitness centre. It is highly recommended

The 20m pool is suitable for laps, and the workout room and gym has excellent equipment, state of the art cardio machines as well as a comprehensive set of weight trainers. The exercise room is small, but also well equipped, medicine balls, mats, yoga balls, skipping ropes etc. The changing rooms aren't very big, they have standard steam rooms, saunas and whirlpool Jacuzzi.

There is a health bar where you can get vegetable, fruit and protein shakes.