WATG design firm has been selected to design the new Zhuhai ShiRong Le Meridien Hotel & Resort in Zhuhai Doumen, China. The new urban resort project, owned by Zhuhai Doumen District Shirong Industry Co Ltd, a branch office of Guangdong Shirong Zhaoye Co Ltd represents a significant addition to the Le Meridien portfolio, since being acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
     The Zhuhai ShiRong Le Meridien Hotel & Resort will be situated on a 12.5 hectare delta where Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macau form a virtual intersection of pristine natural wetlands and historical riverfront. A unique feature of the design will take advantage of spectacular canal and riverfront views from virtually every direction. In addition to the 300 room, four hotel villas, the project will include several urban design and mixed-use elements, including vacation residential villas, service apartments, and 8,000 square meters of retail and restaurant space.
     Additional design elements include a proposed marina adjacent to the hotel resort and an expansive bridge linking the resort to the nearby urban centers of Hong Kong and Macau.
     "A particularly alluring design component for guests will include celebrating their arrival as they approach the hotel entrance through an urban forest, vista toward river and marina beyond. This unique entryway serves the property's natural surroundings by striving to connect the guest with nature.  In addition, the resort design incorporates a central gathering place or village "hub", said WATG designer Jeon.
     Jeon also adds that WATG and their design work will benefit from the fact that the hotel’s operator, Le Meridien, has been involved in the design process from the outset, which is somewhat rare in the hospitality and leisure industry.