Sandra‘s Closet

As a proud ambassador for the Oetker Collection, I am more than happy to announce that spring 2021 will see the addition of The Woodward, a new hotel in the heart of Geneva, to its exclusive portfolio of masterpiece hotels. It will be the tenth hotel in the outstanding collection.

A historic transformation creates Geneva’s first all-suite hotel designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, with restaurants by Michelin-Starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and vegetable driven Le Jardinier by Alain Verzeroli as well as a 1,200 sq metre Spa by Maison Guerlain.

Rooted in classic French techniques, Chef Verzeroli, who has maintained for 11 consecutive years seven stars in the Michelin guide for Joël Robuchon’s three restaurants in Tokyo, is renowned for creating innovative dishes where vegetables play a starring role, many of which are vegan, and dairy and gluten-free.

Owned by Bastion Holdings, the hotel sits directly on the shores of Lake Geneva, offering panoramic views of Mont Blanc. Originally built in 1901 by French architect François Durel, in a post-Haussmann style, the hotel is located on Quai Wilson. Bastion Holdings and Bastion Management are part of The Bastion Collection group which owns 15 unique restaurant & food concepts globally and the masterpiece water-front hotel in Geneva – The Woodward.

Each of the 26-suites have been carefully curated to possess their own distinct character and individual design details with signature flourishes including marble fireplaces and bookcases. 21 of the suites have a full lake view. The jewels in the crown are the Presidential Suite, designed in elegant ivory tones and offering panoramic lake views from every room with a private dining room and loggia, and the Royal Suite, reached by private lift and designed to resemble a chic Parisian apartment.

The Woodward will offer two bars and a tea-room, as well as a private digestif lounge, which takes the buildings history as a bank into the modern-day through the transformation of a former vault. In keeping with Oetker Collection’s commitment to wellbeing, a 21-metre indoor swimming pool invites guests to indulge and relax. It will be the longest swimming pool in Geneva. There will be a state-of-the-art gym, two saunas, two steam-rooms, two Swedish baths and a jacuzzi. Guests will be able to enjoy exclusive treatments by Guerlain across six wellness suites, including one for couples and a corner dedicated to men.

I am so excited for this beautiful addition to Geneva!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of The Oetker Collection

Happy Weekend and Happy International Women’s Day to you all! I hope that you get to spend it the way you have pictured it. Personally speaking, I love a combination of pure relaxation and a bit of yoga. Something, I adore when I am alone in a hotel room all by myself. Here you see me practicing in my new cool sportswear in the Presidential Suite of the Park Hyatt Zurich.

My look: Contrast-panel checked cotton-blend shirt in white/green/lilac by Natasha Zinko, cropped stretch-cotton top, and stretch-cotton leggings, both by Balmain, Sorrento high-top sneakers by Dolce & Gabbana, baseball cap with NY Yankees™ patch and embroidered brocade drawstring backpack, both by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Location: Park Hyatt Zurich
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In Shanghai, I stayed at the newly opened Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai, a temple of luxury. Located on the banks of the Huangpu River, the hotel offers amazing views of the famous Bund. The moment you step through the door, you feel the peaceful environment and are taken by the impressive art collection. 4000 original artworks are on display throughout the public spaces and guestrooms.

In the entry hall, a gigantic mosaic by leading Chinese artist Miao Tong welcomes the distinguished guests.

On my arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the lovely team. I stayed in one of the amazing 44 suites that combine Oriental style with contemporary furniture perfectly. The gorgeous interior design can also be found in the other 318 guestrooms.

All accommodations feature a large executive desk, an espresso machine, a traditional teapot with Jing teas and a minibar.

My spacious marble bathroom was to die for. Laying in the circular bathtub, I watched TV while gazing out across the city’s iconic skyline. The amenities are by sought-after London based perfumer Ormonde Jayne that I adore.

I was also invited to view Shanghai’s largest and most expensive Presidential Suite. Spanning 788 square metres, it features two private sky gardens, separate areas for dining, entertaining, meeting and resting. In addition, the large bathroom includes a two-metre Jacuzzi and steam room, plus a private gym and spa treatment room. Famous Chinese actor Jackie Chan was one of the first guests staying in this suite.

The hotel offers many different essential dining options for business and leisure. Celebrity chefs spoil their guests in six superb restaurants and bars, all equipped with outdoor seating facilities.

The Riviera Lounge is a great place to enjoy your afternoon tea.

At Zest restaurant, breakfast is served.

Shanghai chef Tony Lu serves authentic Jiang Nan cuisine at the Yong Yi Ting restaurant.

Yong Yi Ting also offers a Chef’s Table with a show kitchen for special degustation meals and cooking demonstrations. Famous German chef Alfons Schuhbeck had just been here to learn more about this traditional Chinese cuisine.

The hotel is also a great choice for events with a versatile range of rooms including a ballroom that can seat up to 500 guests. I was very impressed by the showroom for special celebrations where all sorts of chairs, china, tableware and party themes are thoughtfully displayed.

The Mandarin Cake Shop

I spent one entire afternoon at the spa and gym of the hotel. It is the perfect place to rejuvenate your body and mind, a becalming oasis of Zen. The butterfly is the muse for the interior design, a symbol of beauty and change in Chinese culture.

The 13 treatment suites are named “butterfly” in different world languages, including Mariposa (Spanish), Papillon (French), Kupu-Kupu (Indonesian), and Euthalia (Greek).

A spectular 25-metre indoor pool along with a vitality and children’s pool is open 24 hours along with a gym featuring a large range of Technogym equipment.

I can absolutely recommend the Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai. The team did everything to make my stay unforgettable and as convenient as possible. A jewel of Shanghai!

LoL, Sandra

Photos used for the collages: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental.
All other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht