Park Hyatt Ningbo

Following the launch of the Park Hyatt brand in China – with the openings of Park Hyatt Shanghai and Park Hyatt Beijing in 2008 – Hyatt launched China's first Park Hyatt Resort in Ningbo on Jan.10, 2012.

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa is situated on the banks of Dongqian Lake – which literally translates as 'lake of money in the east' – in the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang, two-and-a-half hours drive from Shanghai. Legend has it that 2,500 years ago, a man named Fan Li – the right-hand man of the soon to be ruler – abandoned his position of power and prestige to retreat to the area with his loved one, Xi Shi, who was (and is still) considered the most beautiful woman in Chinese history. They settled on Taogong Island on the lake, where Fan became the richest man of that time. So rich, the legend says, that he ran out of space to store all the money he made and had to keep it in the water, hence the evocative name.

Today, surrounded by mountains rising 500 metres (1,640 foot) above sea level, the lake evokes a landscape from a classical Chinese painting. Dongqianis the largestfreshwater lake in Zhejiang province and one of the most scenic areas in the region, overlooked by the tea plantations of Mount Fuquan – famous for its Fuquan White and East Sea Dragon Tongue teas – and rich with ancient Buddhist temples and caves, stone carvings of the southern Song dynasty (1127-1279), and working fishing villages.

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa has been created in the style of a traditional, Chinese water village to blend, discreetly, into the surrounding vista. The complex of low-level, standalone villas with simply plastered exteriors and tiled, gabled rooves, resembles a hamlet that has developed organically over time. Multiple open courtyards and sky wells, punctuated with ponds and gentle landscaping, echo Chinese architectural principles. The interconnecting structures create a layered effect and an experience of gradual discovery for guests, unveiling new spaces, levels and ambiances at every turn.

Visitors are greeted at the mainentrance by a shoal of brass fish sculptures, guiding guests towards a dramatic tiled-roof gateway decorated with wooden lattice screens. Crossing a mist-shrouded bridge lined with fire torches, past contemporary arrangements of wax-leaf privets, black bamboo and Japanese maple trees, guests arrive at the resort entrance.

Oversized, six-metre-highdouble doors open to reveal a direct view of the lake, past a pond-filled internal courtyard and an outdoor infinity pool. Water is a recurring theme at Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa; ponds, pools and water features have been incorporated throughout and views of the lake can be enjoyed from almost every space. Shallow pools flank the Resort Centre near the hotel entrance, staffed by local experts dedicated to arranging everything you might possibly need during your stay, from transportation to memorable excursions to all business- and concierge-related services. Nestled in the pools are striking cast-bronzemountain sculptures against a floor-to-ceiling backdropof sculpted paper Buddha heads.

An understated art collection provides visual interest in all the public and private spaces, carefully curated to complement the modern Chinese space. Walls are adorned with silk paintings, brick carvings, calligraphy panels and photographs of local architecture and landscapes, while considered arrangements of humble objet such as peasant hats, oversized wine pots, stone rice mills and wooden basins evoke a strong sense of location.