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Sightseeing and Entertainment
Michael Taylor joins a media tour to check out the newest hotel in the rapidly expanding network of Aloft Hotels in Guangzhou, China. On Day 2, he takes a bicycle tour and enjoys music night with rockers from Beijing.
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Members of the media breakfasted at Nook, the all-day dining outlet at Aloft Guangzhou University Park, which serves both buffet and ala carte menus.
Following breakfast, we were offered an in-depth briefing on the Aloft brand by Vincent Ong, Senior Brand Director, Asia Pacific Brand Management, Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
The briefing was followed by interviews with Vincent and lunch at Tactic B.
Following lunch, we climbed on bicycles for a tour of the vicinity. Included were stops at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music and the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.
Project Aloft Star
That evening we dined at the Nook. After dinner, we were offered a ukulele class at the W xyz bar.
A music party followed at the same venue. Included was a performance by Project Aloft Star China section winners Pandabros, who were flown in from Beijing for the occasion.
A joint venture between Aloft Hotels and MTV, Project Aloft Star is a global iniative aimed at identifying and giving a platform to up-and-coming muisicians. A key element of the competition is that the aspiring talents have not yet signed a recording contract.
Launched in June 2014, the initiative received 300 submissions in 3 clusters across Asia: MTV China, MTV India, and MTV Southeast Asia. More than 170,000 votes were received.
The winners of each cluster will receive US$10,000 and a chance to be featured on MTV. Winners of the Southeast Asia section have already received recording contracts.
Pandabros performed one set. After that, party goers chatted, danced, and drank into the wee hours. A total of 100 such musical evenings are planned at Aloft Hotels around the world as the brand counts down to the opening of its 100th property in 2015.
Click here for pictures of the hotel
Where
Aloft Guangzhou University Park, No. 66 Li De Street, Xiaoguwei, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Telephone: (86) (20) 3100-0888. Restaurant Website: Aloft Guangzhou University Park
The hotel is located in the heart of Guangzhou University Park, home to several institutions of higher learning. It is a short walk to the Ling Nan Impression Park.
The hotel is a 10 minute drive from the Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre and a 50 minute drive from Guangzhou Baiyun Internaitonal Airport.