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TD, who’s currently in Shanghai to join Friday’s inaugural China Eastern Airlines’ flight from Nanjing to Sydney has stayed at two major hotels run by expats.
Simeon Olle, formerly with Hyatt in Oz is gm of the classy Waldorf Astoria on the Bund, while Bruce Ryde who had stints with IHG and Hamilton Island is gm of Shanghai’s funky Hotel Indigo, also on the Bund. “I know of five other Aussies who are running hotels here in Shanghai,” says Indigio’s Ryde, ” but there’s also many here from the hospitality section, F & B and restauranteurs who’ve made their mark in this city of 22 million.” Ryde even seconded Julie Donohoe from Sydney’s InterContinental Hotel to become his Executive Chef who adds nice little touches from home for Aussie guests, like Lamington’s in the 188 rooms. “Even our team in the Cafe are Barista-trained and know how to make a proper Espresso and a very good flat-white, which is very Aussie,” adds Ryde. He says that IHG has grown rapidly in China with 30 hotels in Shanghai alone, including three Indigo properties, the company’s boutique brand. Indigo on the famous Bund boasts incredible views of this big, cosmopolitan city and its Char Grill restaurant on top of the hotel has sweeping views of the Huangpu River and glittering Pudong skyline and offers an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant is popular with locals and when TD ate there last night, Ryde was busy hosting a dinner for a group of top cops from the Shanghai Police Force. “We cater to a lot of high-end clients with 50 percent of business from mainland China, but only six percent from Australia, ” says Ryde. He says Shanghai is a very prestigious, money-driven city and has more millionaires than Beijing, but remember, it’s still 100 percent Communist China, with an international veneer. “It’s been a fun three and a half years here,” Ryde concluded. |
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