Marion Carsten

This German jewellery designer was trained by European masters and is now known for creating eye-catching collections that draw from re-interpretations of Asian culture. This inspiration, combined with the very European simplicity and timelessness of design, creates a unique and special fusion. Carsten works primarily with leather, pearls and precious metals, and says that she is always conscious of the interplay between constrasting elements, such as roughness and perfection.

If you are looking for functional, stylish and modern jewellery designs for both men and women, look no further. Customers for her private commissions include the likes of Bulgari and Cartier, and Carsten’s products have been featured in ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Luxe and more.

Unit 1G, 3219 Hongmei Lu. Tel: 021 6406 3802. Web: www.marioncarsten.com. 

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

As a wise man once said, where there are tai tais, there will be Pilates. And nail salons. And yoga. Gubei is awash with such spots, with local residents devoting themselves to outer beauty and inner peace.

The Orange Room

Founded in 2006 by a team of teachers originating from Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Germany, the Orange Room Yoga & Pilates Centre is a bright and friendly professional yoga and Pilates centre in Gubei. They say that one of the most important things for them is that people of all sizes, shapes and levels of experience “feel accomplished and cherished practicing yoga and Pilates.” Currently, they have members from Asia, Europe, Australasia, as well as North and South America, with ages ranging from teens to people in their 60s. In their spacious, light-flooded studios they offer yoga and mat Pilates classes for all levels. They stress that flexibility, muscle strength or experience are not needed to begin; they are meant to be gained through your practice. A commitment to bring wellness to your body and mind and believing in yourself, however, is crucial in achieving your goals.

Room B, 7th Floor, Saint Laurent Commercial Building, No. 201, Lane 3215, Hongmei Lu. Tel: 6406 3642. Email: information@theorangeroom.cn. Web: www.theorangeroom.cn

Frangipani Nail Bar

This is just one of a number of Frangipani outlets around the city, all of which offer high standards in nail care and a comfortingly high standard of hygiene. The Hongmei Lu branch is very spacious, with a relaxed ambience and a pleasant view over the streets below. It’s a nice haven above the din and the many windows also work to make the salon light and airy throughout. The staff are very friendly and professional and its surrounds offer plenty of comfy couches and cushions so you can make yourself at home while they make your digits delightful. If you are feeling creative, test out the artistic skills of the nail technicians, you won’t be disappointed.

Frangipani, 3211 Hongmei Lu. Tel: 5422 2984. Web: www.frangipani-shanghai.com

WHERE TO STAY

The Millennium Hongqiao Hotel

This luxury five star hotel is located in the heart of the commercial and residential district of Hongqiao, close to the central Carrefour Gubei store.

The hotel boasts 368 spacious rooms starting from 40 square metres, featuring the latest hi-tech in-room facilities. To better serve its business guests, the Millennium Hongqiao Hotel Shanghai has also recently upgraded its Executive Club Rooms with stylish 42-inch Philips televisions and complimentary high-speed internet access.

Showcasing a combination of international, teppanyaki and Chinese cuisine, the hotel also offers a wide range of culinary delights. O’Cafe offers a very nice ambience, the choice to dine indoor or alfresco and a range of other facilities. Until the end of March, its German Executive Chef Bernhard Reineke is showcasing a distinctive European flavoured weekend buffet dinner, including dishes such as kale with pinkel sausage, pork knuckle, potato pancakes, duck breast with red cabbage, Thuringian pork sausage, stuffed cabbage rolls, Thuringian dumplings and more for RMB 198 (+15%) per person with one glass of wine or beer.

For teppanyaki lovers, TKNY presents a wonderful seven course dinner, which includes assorted sashimi, miso soup, salad, your choice of main course (sirloin steak/filet mignon/seafood/ lamb chop), vegetables, rice and dessert that demonstrates again the subtle Japanese ability to perfectly balance a meal. An a la carte menu is also available.

Millennium HongQiao Hotel Shanghai, 2588 Yan’an Xi Lu. Tel: 6208 5888. O’café x 71209. TKNY x 71211

Xijiao State Guest Hotel

The five star Xijiao State Guest Hotel, sprawling over 80 hectares, is the largest State garden hotel in Shanghai. Here, guests enjoy a traditional Chinese landscape of small lakes and hills set in a beautiful garden. Offering a tranquil oasis in Shanghai, the Xijiao State Guest Hotel is the perfect place to relax, with 229 luxurious guest rooms and more than 80 elegantly-styled garden villas located separately in the garden. The hotel's history spans 40 years, and its claim to fame (other than its sprawling gardens) is that is has welcomed over 100 delegations of important guests such as Queen Elizabeth II, the Emperor of Japan, US President George Bush Sr, and Chinese leaders such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, among others.

1921 Hongqiao Lu. Tel: 6219 8800. Web : www.hotelxijiao.com/en/index.aspx

Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel

Friendly faces and a warm welcome await guests at the Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel, formerly known as Sheraton Grand Tai Ping Yang Hotel. The hotel's friendly, attentive team combined with excellent business and recreational facilities offers all the comforts travellers need, whether for business or pleasure. Known for their fine restaurants, guests can choose from Italian, Chinese, or Japanese cuisine.

5 Zunyi Nan Lu. Tel: 6275 8888. Web: www.starwoodhotels.com