Why Conrad’s first hotel in Shenzhen in a spanking new business district is worth a stay

You know a hotel is proud of its art collection when a chocolate tart, which is part of the welcome amenity, is fashioned after a colossal bronze sculpture that emerges from a pool of water in the middle of the gargantuan lobby.  

Called Two Forms, the visually arresting sculpture by Chinese artist Zhang Xian is inspired by the yin and yang philosophy. This intriguing sight greets visitors arriving at Conrad Shenzhen, a new luxury business hotel, which opened last May in the spanking new Qianhai business district.

In a city that takes pride in its forward-looking entrepreneurial spirit, Conrad Shenzhen lulls guests back to the past with its contemporary art collection that spans over 100 pieces sprinkled across the 300-room hotel. It includes 17 major art pieces that have been commissioned from Chinese artists. 

Most of the art pieces centre around the story of Shenzhen’s meteoric rise from a sleepy fishing village to a technology hub within four decades. The city houses the headquarters of well-known Chinese companies such as Huawei, DJI and Tencent, and its upcoming Penguin Island. However, the most breathtaking art piece that left the biggest impression on me is Chen Yun, a sprawling line-based wall piece by Huang Qicheng. The awe-inspiring piece, which takes pride of place in the hotel’s lobby, seamlessly unites the eight schools of Chinese architecture, highlighting styles of Anhui, Fujian, Hakka, and more.

Besides immersing in its contemporary art collection, a dark sultry, dream-like state permeates throughout the interiors of the 23-storey property, which is designed by renowned design firm Yabu Pushelberg. 

Conrad Shenzhen attracts mainly business travellers, while locals and those from neighbouring Hong Kong go on staycations during the weekends. The hotel’s freshly-minted status can be a double-edged sword. The Qianhai district, which is part of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Free Trade Zone, gets mostly deserted on weeknights and weekends. During my visit, the commercial district in the Western part of Shenzhen was so new that some of the surrounding buildings were still under construction.  

While Conrad Shenzhen has a first-mover advantage, it still feels rather lonely. Things will be better when the neighbouring Uniway shopping mall opens. The mall and hotel are part of a mixed-use development, which also comprises office and residential buildings, run by the hotel’s owners, real estate company Horoy Group.

Currently, the hotel is a five-minute walk away from three shopping malls, including MixC, which has a plethora of dining and shopping options, and the Guiwan metro station that links the area to the more well-known Bao’an District. The hotel is also located next to Guiwan Park, which is a coastal urban park blessed with mangroves and freshwater wetlands.

The Room

The artistic thread continues in my King Deluxe Room with a Bay View (Prices start from RMB 2,408 or $450) on the top floor of the hotel. The 56 sqm room is adorned with paintings and carpets that bear designs inspired by fishing villages. However, the highlight of the room is its postcard-perfect view of the Shenzhen Bay. My eyes drift to the relentless traffic on the expressway to Guangzhou and the construction of Tencent's Penguin Island on the horizon. Planes to and fro Shenzhen Airport also dot the sky regularly.

The marble-cladded bathroom is designed to soak up as much of the view, with the bathtub facing the windows (there’s a two-panel door to draw for those who prefer privacy). The bathroom comes with a Conrad signature rubber duck and bath products from European luxury brand Byredo. 

The spacious room also has an R-shaped lounging couch, where I curled up for hours to admire the city’s view. What I haven’t seen much in hotel rooms is the room’s lobby area that has a mini sofa for you to put on your shoes properly without having to stand up. 

When it comes to getting work done, the room is generously equipped with close to 10 electrical plugs with USB charging points to power up an assortment of devices. Flanking the wall is a long desk fitted with drawers and complete with stationery, though I wished that the chair could be more ergonomic. 

The king-sized bed is plush, with the right balance of softness and support. Each side of the bed is fitted with lighting (both main and reading lights), and the lights, sheer curtains and air-conditioning can be adjusted without having to leave the bed. (Tip: Choose from nine types of pillows from the pillow menu, which includes the chrysanthemum-scented pillow which relieves pressure and cassia seeds pillow, which has a nature-like grassy fragrance). Service is also fast and efficient, with requests for a power adaptor and scented pillow arriving within 10 minutes. 

Savouring Chaoshan cuisine

Much as it was difficult to leave the room, it would have been a waste not to check out the hotel’s four restaurants and bars. Shenzhen is home to a sizable Chaoshan or Teochew population so a visit to the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, Ch’ao is a must. It is helmed by veteran executive chef Owen Ou, who previously helmed two-Michelin-starred Jiang in Guangzhou. 

Forget the usual Teochew dishes like braised duck, oyster omelette and yam paste, the restaurant offers an extensive range of dishes that use ingredients from the Chaoshan region. The double-boiled dried scallops sea whelk soup gets a wondrous flavour uplift with the addition of a stalk of Chinese basil, by injecting freshness and fragrance into the soup. 

The signature hand-beaten steamed Guangdong rice cake is so silky smooth that it glides down my throat almost effortlessly, after it is drenched in a lobster bisque spiked with 30-year-aged rice wine. Another highlight is the Teochew bitter gourd, crab, black fungus and pickled mustard greens. The dish is a stunning melange of sweet, sour, salty and bitter flavours, and is best wolfed down with rice. 

The tender and creamy Teochew eggplant is stir-fried with Chinese basil and fermented yellow bean (tau cheon) for an umami punch. The immensely satisfying meal ends off with the sakura ebi fried rice with prawns and freshly chopped scallions added into the pot, topped with a fragrant shower of sakura ebi. For breakfast at the Common Room, which serves a mix of Teochew and international dishes, opt for the Teochew shrimp congee made with Carabinero prawns and braised beef noodles. 

With its sleek blend of tradition and luxury, the hotel is poised to blossom as its neighbourhood develops in the near future.