Every reason to ink a winning deal

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-06 11:09

Sheraton Tianjin Hotel attracts both business travelers and local newlyweds.

DRIVING into the 20,000-sq-m Sheraton Tianjin Hotel compound, it's hard to tell you are in the heart of a bustling metropolis. On one side of Zijinshan Road is a quiet river lined with willow trees and a border of flowers, while beyond the river is more greenery dotted with the occasional pavilion. The only telltale sign of the city is a television tower looming in the distance.

But five minutes from this oasis are the city museum and the natural history museum, a mammoth amusement park, a grand auditorium, two exhibition halls, vast expanses of park and recreation areas, and coming soon, the new civic center. It is like sitting on the edge of New York's Central Park, but with City Hall nearby.

Location, however, is not the only reason Tianjiners love the Sheraton and choose it as their ideal venue for weddings. It has a 22-year history, making it a local icon. It has a spacious entrance, with a lake, meandering driveways, plenty of parking, a feng shui-friendly waterfall, and a meticulously manicured lawn at the back with a small playground for kids. When you open the glass partitions of Terrace Caf, you have the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor space for any party, not just wedding parties.

Of course, most Chinese would prefer a formal banquet for a wedding, in which case the 4.2-m high grand ballroom is perfect. It will seat as many as 450 guests. You don't want it so big? No problem. It can be partitioned into several smaller sizes.

There is an old belief in China that newlyweds spread bliss. Maybe that's why businesses love this venue as well. For receptions it can accommodate 700 people, or 500 for a conference.

The Sheraton has a lobby that goes all the way up its six stories. Live music wafts throughout the atrium to all the rooms, if you open the door of your room.

Or, if you prefer your own music, all suites are equipped with compact disc players.

To complement the well-landscaped environment, the music at Sheraton is mostly easy listening, classical and contemporary styles.

The Oasis Spa, located in the apartment section of the building, has ambient music that's a great match for the authentic Balinese and Indonesian treatments on the menu.

To get a sense of how traditional Balinese women take care of their skin, try the Raja Treatment. First a black rice powder mixed into paste is applied all over the body. After a rinse comes the Raja oil massage, which is a delicate balance between tender and firm. Finally, after another rinse, the English-speaking masseuse applies a film of body lotion.

Also available are other treatments - Chinese, Western, facial, slimming, botox, you name it. But "Raja" means "king", and if it's fit for a king you have no reason not to try it. You can love democracy your whole life, but be a king for 100 minutes.

Almost by coincidence, the famous Sheraton brunch buffet recently had an Indonesian theme. It was followed by Italian and Greek cuisines, part of the ongoing plan to offer gourmet food from across the world. If you want to stick to Chinese or Western, there is always the Celestial Court or Pan Shan Wine and Grill, which offers a wide range of Southern European specialties in an intimate setting.

Seen from above, Sheraton Tianjin resembles a cruise ship in an ocean of rich vegetation. It has something for every guest, be it a business traveler or a local newlywed. Maybe that's the reason its charm has not worn off after 22 years.