08 September 2005 |  Print |  Email

Shanghai, China, September 8, 2005 ― Just 22 months after opening its doors on October 1, 2003, JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square has received the official five-star rating. General Manager, John Northen, together with Director of Marketing, Chris Tsoi personally attended the official award presentation ceremony in Beijing during August this year.

“We are very honoured to receive this award and especially happy to be presented it within two years of opening. This recognition is a great credit to all our 900 staff in the hotel, and is a true reflection of their team work, hard work and dedication to excel in their jobs,” comments John Northen, General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai.

In China’s tourism industry, a star rating is used to grade tourist hotels. The ratings are divided into five categories, from one to five, with a Platinum Five Star being the most prestigious. The platinum rating can only be awarded to a hotel that has held a five-star rating for a minimum of two years. Up until now, no hotel in Shanghai has received this special star rating. Hotels can apply for a star rating after having been open for a minimum of one year. After a rating is confirmed, it is effective for five years and the hotel concerned is given an engraved brass plaque featuring the golden star symbol.

The criteria for the different star ratings depend on the architecture, facilities, décor and service, as well as a plethora of policies, procedures and standards in the hotel. Within a month of receiving an application for star rating, the Star Rating Evaluation Authority arranges an anonymous inspection of the hotel by specialists, after which an evaluation report is presented to the Evaluation Authority headquarters in Beijing and the final grade is decided.

In addition to the recently received official 5-star rating, the JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai has been recognized with a number of accolades, including the “Best New City Hotel” by TTG Asia, “Best of the Best” by Robb Report and “20 most Romantic Hideaways in the urban oases category” by DestinAsian Magazine. The Tomorrow Square landmark commercial complex also received some well-deserved attention with the Emporis’ “2003 Skyscraper Award.”