The PuLi Hotel and Spa — Hotel in Shanghai

​​Will The PuLi's Remodeling Ruin Jaya’s Masterpiece?​

The PuLi Hotel & Spa in Shanghai has recently begun its first comprehensive renovation since opening 16 years ago. This spatial masterpiece was designed by the late Jaya Ibrahim. From the very beginning it redefined urban retreat with its serene Eastern aesthetics and restrained modern language. Quiet yet rich in timeless details it has become an irreplaceable benchmark for city living in the hearts of many. Precisely because its complete and self contained design left such a deep impression any changes now feel particularly sensitive.

As news of the renovation spreads and with the original designer no longer present voices across social media are pleading please do not change The PuLi. This is likely not a rejection of evolution but a hope that the hotel’s aesthetic can continue with dignity. The true test for the new team is how to honor the original spirit while responding to the passage of time. But why does a renovation provoke such strong reactions? Is renovating The PuLi truly necessary?

To be honest the recent release of photos showing the renovated Park Hyatt Tokyo has added to people’s concerns about The PuLi’s upcoming changes. That pioneering hotel opened in 1994 in the Shinjuku Park Tower with interiors by John Morford. Its minimalist and forward looking design influenced countless designers and became a classic in Asian hospitality history. After gaining global fame through the film Lost in Translation it holds cherished memories for many travelers and helped shape the less is more aesthetic core of the Park Hyatt brand.

Last year Park Hyatt Tokyo closed for a year long renovation led by French design firm Jouin Manku. Yet the revealed new look left many disappointed. The once calm and classic spaces are now filled with decorative artwork and busy details. The subtle play of light and thoughtful use of emptiness have faded and the distinctive sense of quiet detachment unique to the Tokyo property has dissipated. With Hyatt’s top leadership now entirely changed pioneering works like this may become rarer. Minimalism has lost its lingering charm. Having witnessed such a loss of soul in a renovation it is no wonder people are wary of changes to another groundbreaking hotel like The PuLi.

The heart of the debate around The PuLi’s renovation lies in its design. Its spatial language is so classic it has transcended function to become a frequently referenced model in hotel design history. Because its influence runs deep the concern is real. Will the renovation ruin Jaya’s masterpiece? According to the latest updates The PuLi began its renovation at the end of August with a focus on functional upgrades and overall quality improvements not just room updates. Reassuringly the original team is returning. LANYA remains in charge of interiors The Flaming Beacon again handles lighting and the newly joined SPIN Design Studio known for its work on several Rosewood dining venues will refresh the food and beverage spaces. This reunion of the original creators suggests the goal is not a reinvention but a thoughtful evolution that deepens and responds to the initial vision.

What makes a true classic? It is not about age but the ability to stand firm over time. The fact that The PuLi is still cherished after 16 years shows its design has endured shifting trends. Perhaps we can afford a little patience. Buildings age and maintenance is inevitable. The real challenge is to make careful repairs that meet modern needs without disturbing the original tranquility. Time will tell. The story of The PuLi is still being written. Its reverence for design and thoughtful approach to living continue to shine quietly amid the...

Last month we stayed for seven nights at The PuLi. This was a private trip and we enjoyed it very much there. The hotel has a modern, minimalistic but very stylish design and you don’t feel like being in a pulsating city as Shanghai is; it’s kind of an urban oasis. The location opposite Jing’an Temple is very convenient with the subway just around the corner if you need it and many excellent restaurants in the various shopping malls nearby. The room we stayed in had a decent size, was clean, functional, quiet and provided all amenities one would expect from such class of hotel, but it showed signs of ageing. The bed was extremely comfortable and foam pillows were given upon request. Breakfast was served at their French restaurant Phénix; the buffet was rather small, but you can order from their menu with an extensive choice (btw the eggs bendict were fantatstic!). As everywhere in China, communication in English is somewhat difficult, but some of their staff at breakfast spoke some English; this was also the case at the reception and concierge. The service level was very high and attentive and kept us happy. The lobby with its long bar is really beautiful and unfortunately attracts a lot of female Chinese instagrammers for photo and video sessions, resulting in some grotesque and ridiculous scenes, no inhibitions at all. We observed such behaviour every night when we enjoyed our drinks after dinner; one of the managers at the bar was well aware of it and tried to keep it under control. For us it was kind of a nuisance but apparently people don’t care too much about it. Would I stay there again? Yes, I would, because the positive aspects outweigh by far the negative ones, and I would particularly recommend The PuLi to travelers who are not seeking traditional and...

We reached early at 12 so we couldn’t check in. However the hotel helped to bring the luggage up to the room while we were out, so when we came back in the evening to get the key, we could go straight up to the room. Room amenities are good, with free mini bar drinks replenished daily. The lobby cookies are free too and very delicious! On the first night, we had problems with the Bluetooth speaker as customers from other rooms kept connecting to our speaker, giving us a shock when music played out of nowhere. The hotel was very apologetic and gave us a fruit platter and a small bottle of red wine to make up for it. On the first night they also did turn down service for us, which was very nice of them. But they didn’t do it on the second night - would have been an even better experience if they did so. When we checked out we also asked them to help with the luggage and the staff (a young guy) who came to assist us was extremely helpful. He even helped to arrange our luggage in the car boot (we did have a lot of lugagge)! The food delivery locker outside the hotel lobby was also very useful! I made v good use of it. The only thing stopping me from giving it a 5/5 is that it gets very dark at night between the first main door and the second door that enters into the hotel lobby. The doors are also very heavy, I assume to block out the wind. Sometimes there’s a staff there to help with the door, but often there isn’t. So when it’s dark and you have to mind your step and still have to push open the heavy door, it’s really quite...