FX.co ★ Five-star hotel opens in once-abandoned quarry in China

Shimao Quarry Hotel was built inside a formerly abandoned quarry, on the Sheshan mountain range, 30 minutes drive from Shanghai Hongqiao airport. About 555 million dollars were invested in the construction of the hotel, and it required over 5,000 architects, engineers and designers to complete.

During World War II, coal was mined at this place, and the quarry was officially closed only in 2000 due to its inconsistency with Chinese modern environmental requirements. The operator of the Shimao Group resort complex acquired this land for the project in 2006.

Due to the special location, technical problems arose in the design and construction of the hotel which caused long delays in the construction of the object. For example, it took companies two years to build the foundation.

It was designed by architect Martin Yohman who created the famous hotel in the shape of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah sail in Dubai.

There are a total of 336 rooms in the hotel. The central building of the hotel houses an entertainment center and a large gym, as well as a restaurant.

For thrillseekers, the hotel makes use of its position inside a craggy pit to provide bungee jumping and rock climbing opportunities.

Two lower floors are underwater. There are guest rooms facing a ten-metre-deep aquarium. You can admire the underwater world right from your bed.

From the upper floors there is a view of the artificial waterfall located on the opposite side of the quarry.

According to Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, an overnight stay in a hotel room will cost an average of 3,394 yuan ($668) which is almost half the average monthly income of the local population. The most expensive suite with butler services costs more than $14,000 per night.

“It is a high price, but we think it’s worth spending because this is a one of a kind hotel you cannot see anywhere else,” said Bao Lihua, a senior Shanghai resident who was among the first batch of guests during a soft opening last week. “People of my age think it’s a unique place that we need to visit during one’s lifetime.”