Peace in our time

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Source: Global Times
[11:17 July 23 2010]
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All of the moldings in the building are original, as is the entire east entry lobby, with the exception of the floor and lift cab. Some of the light fixtures, the pendants in the lobby, for example - are also original. The Jazz Bar will also be in keeping with its illustrious past. "We will be inviting back the band members who used to play in the bar for a special celebration, and it will be a rare experience for nostalgia," Naamani said.

But restoring its past status as Shanghai's most prestigious hotel also means modernizing facilities and upgrading standards, while at the same time keeping its historic value intact.

The hotel has renovated all the rooms, with the exception of some of the Nine Nation suites. While the China, England, and India suites are more or less unaltered, the other six of the Nine Nation rooms are totally refurbished. "The interior structure has been redesigned and the walls repainted to meet the requirements of a five-star hotel, and we have also installed advanced technologies such as iPod-friendly high-quality speakers," Naamani said.

Other new additions to the building include the award-winning Willow Stream Spa, a fully equipped fitness center and a private sky-lit swimming pool.

But perhaps the most widely covered aspect of the Fairmont Peace Hotel's rejuvenation is the planned Peace Museum, where visitors will learn more about the unique history of this famous building. A worldwide quest for documentary evidence and memorabilia is being launched to help piece together the hotel's complex history and evolution, and to provide a space for memories.

"Our targets cover a wide spectrum," said Naamani, "in fact we're interested in anything related to the Fairmont Peace Hotel in the past century that has a story to tell - from silver dishware used in the 1920s and 1930s, to the menus that have served Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton. We're also looking for cigar boxes, table linen, lamps and lanterns and antique furniture from that time."

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