Focused on providing affordable luxury, the 15th hotel by lifestyle brand Citizen M – the brand’s first in China – opened its doors in February 2019.
Launched in Amsterdam in 2008, Citizen M is the brainchild of avid collector Rattan Chadha, and was created for modern travellers. Since its founding, it has become a worldwide brand, known for providing a stylish and affordable experience that is tech-forward and design-centric, with pre-fab architecture and commissioned art distinguishing many of its properties. Located in the Minhang district, Citizen M Shanghai Hongqiao honours all these principles. Its unique look is the result of the work of Concrete, an Amsterdambased architecture and design agency, which has been a longterm partner of the brand.
On the exterior facade of the seven-storey building, the colourful artwork Chinese Students by Mojo Wang immediately catches the attention of passers-by. Inside, the first area that guests discover is much more than a lobby. Filled with books and furnished with Vitra pieces by renowned designers Charles and Ray Eames, Verner Panton, Jean Prouve and Hella Jongerius, among others, the multifunctional living room encourages guests to rest, interact, work (thanks to the very fast, free unlimited Wi-Fi, also available in rooms) and play. Described as “curated chaos”, this area is also where the one-minute self check-in and checkout takes place.
In addition, the open-plan dining area Canteen M provides grab-and-go food and drinks 24/7; the street-level cafe Coffee M is open to both the guests and the public; the retail space Collection M offers travel essentials, souvenirs, gifts and books; and the eight colourful meeting rooms – accessible via a spiral staircase that leads to the first floor – have comfortable furniture and beautiful art.
Honouring the company’s mantra that “a blank wall is a wasted opportunity”, Citizen M Shanghai Hongqiao showcases throughout the hotel the works of Chinese contemporary artists. Those include Asian Beauty by Szabotage, Comic Strip by Qian Jiu, Ke Xiao Qin and Chen Chen, and Totems No. 2 by Alain Delorme.
All the same size (approximately 17 sq m), the 303 rooms are cleverly furnished to make the most of every corner and are controlled by a Moodpad – an iPad controlling the ambience. Artworks by Chinese artist Yingxi Shi create a modern and urban feel, where Eastern and Western references are mixed and have a New York touch (where Yingxi lives).
Colourful and warm, Citizen M Shanghai Hongqiao is a testament to a new generation of travellers.
All available wall spaces in and around the hotel are used as blank canvases for artistic murals.
The spaces in the hotel are designed with a young, hip and trendy vibe.
The hotel is sited near Hongqiao International Airport and the Convention Centre.
