The main question here is, did the IT&CM achieve its goals? Was it worth it for everyone to fly in from around the world and spend their 15 minutes face to face with their hosts? The answer to this is not as easy as one may assume. For those people who came to the IT&CM in the hope that they would sign a few contracts, this was not the place I would imagine as it was rather a platform for putting faces to names, and making sure those vital working relationships are cemented in person rather than on the phone or via e-mails. Though having spoken to a few exhibitors, the event seemed to a good success. One of the spokesperson for the Portman Ritz Carlton in Shanghai, who did not wanted to be named, made numerous positive comments. Perhaps she was a bit too proud that on that very day (8th April), the former US President George W Bush was staying at their hotel. As with all the other US Presidents, including President Obama, the Portman Ritz Carlton is the preferred choice when they visit Shanghai. Mr. Bush was in town for a short 2 day “unofficial” trip to meet China’s Finance Minister Mr. Xie Xuren. The security and secrecy of their meeting was so high that the Grand Hyatt in Pudong, where the meetings were held, was closed off to the media and public for half a day (so no guests were allowed to stay inside during that time). 

Having just arrived from the west, where there is still the bad air within the economic climate, I seemed to get the feeling that everyone is heading off to China, India or somewhere else in the emerging markets world.

Kaiane Aldorino, the current Miss World title holder, paid a special visit to promote Vietnam as the premier destination, especially as the country is hosting the next Miss World competition in 2010. Hats must be taken off to Miss. Aldorino, a native from Gibraltar, who had to stand almost the whole day and take photos with her many fans. Accompanying Miss Aldorino on her PR trip across China was the founder and CEO of Miss World, Ms. Julia Morley.

JIA Boutique Hotel Shanghai 

While maintaining its role as a gateway to nearby towns such as Hangzhou and Suzhou, both of which are centers of China’s cultural and heritage significance; Shanghai itself has a wealth of heritage experiences as well as contemporary art and rich cultural offerings. For those who love to explore their gastronomical interests, Shanghai is a heaven for dining; as well as a spectacular destination for avid shopaholics. After the success of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the next stop for most visitors to China, whether on business or pleasure trips, is likely to be the much acclaimed Shanghai Expo that runs from May until October 2010. Predicted to attract around 70 million visitors over the course of six months, the event is going to see a surge in diplomatic and corporate delegations as China has continued to achieve record tourists’ numbers. The run up to this much awaited event has geared up a fever for five-star luxury hotels in the city- with a record number of up market hotels being constructed at a dizzying pace. Apart from this, Shanghai is widely recognized as an Art Deco city with increasing numbers of travelers’ with a passion for art, architecture and social history visiting the city of Shanghai. It goes without saying that some of the rooms in these hotels are perhaps the most luxurious in China. The world's most well-known architects are flocking to Shanghai, where they are building the world's biggest skyscrapers and up-market hotels.

JIA Boutique Hotel is one of the crème de la crème of the city. I stayed here for two nights and loved every singly second of my time here. As a frequent visitor to Shanghai, the Singaporean founder and owner of JIA Shanghai, Ms. Yenn Wong, knows very well the challenges faced when looking for a unique and affluent accommodation right in the heart of Shanghai’s French concession. That thought inspired her to create the idea of the JIA Shanghai into a successful reality. The accommodation’s chic doors opened to the public in August 2007 as Shanghai’s first true design-led boutique residence concept and, in a short space of time has already made a distinct impression among style-cognizant and discerning travellers – winning awards across the world including being voted on the “Hot List” 2008 by Condé Nast Traveller both in the UK and USA; the Travel + Leisure “It List” 2008; and “Best Hotel Design” in Interior Design China’s Hospitality Design Awards at the 100% Design Conference in June 2008. The rooms and suites were designed by Melbourne-based BURO Architects in association with Hecker Phelan and Guthrie Interiors (HP&G). With five floors offering spacious 55 guestrooms and suites averaging 45 sq. meters, the accommodation is designed as quietly theatrical, warm, and appealing spaces for the modern, design-conscious traveller.

You have to see and stay at this place to believe all the accolades that are being showered all over it! If you are a camper, avoid coming here, and equally well if you are a fan of the Ritz Carltons’ or the Hiltons’ of this world- this is not for you. JIA Shanghai is about architecture, about style, about fashion and about a wonderful blend of art and creativity which also brings in some grassroots humour into the place (where else would you see a library table lying side by side with a lovely 1930s sofa?!). There is a bar and restaurant on the 2nd floor, so if you prefer to sleep like a log then ask the concierge not to place you on the 3rd floor (but honestly, its not that noisy).With a great fusion of contemporary 21st century ambiance and the 1920s colonial feel, the JIA Shanghai will give you a true taste of what luxury life was like when Shanghai was known as the "Paris of the East". Tucked away on the corner of the busy Nanjing West road, and minutes away from the most happening place in the city, the JIA Shanghai may not look very much a glam product from the outside, but inside it is. For sure it has that "Wow" factor when you look at the interior design and the ambiance is one that portrays that.

According to the staff, the vast majority of the guests say that it is much better than the Hong Kong JIA, simply because it is well placed in Shanghai, and because of the historical significance of the building which it's been located in. The rather shabby looking building used to be a office block, however the renovation work has been amazing. It is indeed an eye-opener and makes you wonder what one can do with imagination, and stunning architecture blended in with an immaculate interior design. Overall it's that unique personal touch of the hotel's service for its guests that makes the difference between staying at the JIA and elsewhere. Where else can you get complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks 24 hours a day in the dining room, a complimentary laundry (complete with free washing up powder and dryer), an in-room iron and board, complimentary Wi-Fi, in-room microwave oven complete with electric cooker and cutlery, and even your complimentary JIA Designer umbrella so you don't have to worry about going out in the rain.

All the essentials of life are there provided at hand. There's even a gym for guests. Yes, parts of the hotel may make you feel as if you are in the Shanghai of the 1930s, but the overall design and the ambiance is one of a fashion oriented but with the seriously stylish guest in mind. This has to be the hotel with a personal touch. The staff all speak good English and although not aware of the true reasonings behind the surroundings in which they work in, are, nevertheless fully dedicated to making the experience a comfortable one for their guests. The guesthouse comes complete with an Italian restaurant, Issimo, whose architecture is the brainchild of the Hong Kong based Darryl Goveas of Pure Creative International. All rooms include breakfast and all-day beverages. There's also complimentary evening wine served in the lobby.

Doubles from 1395RMB (US$174), Penthouse from 5500RMB (US$687).