Changing phases

The opening ceremony of the latest St. Regis worldwide highlighted the brand's time-honored custom of champagne sabering by the hotel's chief butler. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The American consul-general in Chengdu Raymond Greene was a guest-of-honor.

In his speech, Lau from Chinese Estates welcomed guests to St. Regis Chengdu, "Southwest China's newest address for unsurpassed luxury and bespoke service".

He said Chengdu is one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities in the world, "exuding distinction, style, culture, and exuberance and we could not be more confident in the Starwood brand and choosing St. Regis to be a part of our real estate development in Chengdu's Chinese Estates Plaza".

He added that his company was confident that the hotel would "continue to elevate the city's grandeur and attract a new generation of international luxury travelers".

Five prancing "lions" came alive after the VIPs "dotted the eyes" and the lion dancers ended their performance by spewing out celebratory couplets with auspicious wishes, reflecting the Hong Kong influence.

The opening ceremony was marked with additional local color drawn from both St. Regis traditions and Sichuan culture. The time-honored St. Regis custom of Champagne sabering by the chief butler of St. Regis Chengdu was followed by a round of bubbly drinks.

However, the most impressive act was the pair of Sichuan opera "face changers" who amazed the gathered assembly with their almost miraculous skills in changing their face masks. They earned the loudest appreciation and applause of the morning.