Confucius Never Left, He's Back! | Qingdao The Lalu

The poetic Lalu has created an infinity pool of extraordinary artistic conception. This pool has become a social media sensation in the hotel world. Guests checking in here can dive in and feel as if they are swimming to the endless horizon, where the sea and sky merge into one. It's a must-see "attraction" for photos and social media posts. Guarding this pool are two stone sculptures of rams, kneeling and facing each other. Water + ram = ocean (in Chinese characters). This silent architectural language imbues the pool with cultural and artistic beauty. 1. This is also the most striking feature of the hotel's architecture. The design language showcases the beauty of design. Kerry Hill's mastery has transformed The Lalu into a magnificent piece of architectural art, exuding charm and artistic conception from the inside out. Logically, having already successfully collaborated with Kerry Hill (The Lalu Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan was also designed by him), inviting him to design the Qingdao hotel should have been smoother. However, it is said that Mr. Lai Zhengyi, Chairman of The Lalu, had to make three visits to persuade Kerry Hill to take on the project. Besides the exorbitant design fee (60 million RMB), there were also many uncompromising conditions attached, reflecting Hill's commitment to his personal design style. 2. As a result, we see these container-like structures on the sea and the dry landscape garden in the atrium, visible upon entering the hotel. This is a vast Japanese-style dry landscape space. Without mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, or streams, it possesses a profound and tranquil beauty. Stones represent mountains, yellow sand represents the sea, and lines represent ripples. The most valuable additions to this minimalist landscape painting are three pine trees. All things carry yin and embrace yang, and the blending of these energies creates harmony. This is the meaning of "Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things." The dry landscape embodies this harmonious philosophy. 3. In the pool at the lobby entrance, there are also three pine trees. These six pines in total were personally selected by Mr. Lai Zhengyi from Mount Tai. Their value lies not only in their beauty but also in their cost – one million RMB. The grandeur of the hotel is further amplified by the 103 grand steps, a feature that truly amazed me. This space is located to the right after entering the lobby. To the left of the square stone pillars, you can access the lobby bar. Descending the steps leads to various functional areas of the hotel, such as restaurants, the spa, meeting rooms, and the beach. 4. The imposing square stone pillars in this space create a world of light and shadow that changes with the sky and light. At different times, the scenery here is completely different. I often walked through this area at different times during my stay, and I always felt a sense of ceremony. In fact, this sense of ceremony becomes even more mystical and serene in the evening when candles are lit on the steps. These candles are placed on both sides of the steps and are lit manually, a process that takes some time. 5. Back in the guest rooms, you'll find many touching details. For example, the towel rack next to the bathtub can be heated. Imagine stepping out of the bath on a cold winter day to a perfectly warmed towel – a truly thoughtful touch. The fruits in the room are also replaced daily. Today it might be pears, tomorrow it could be large apples, a true taste of Shandong. 6. The guest rooms also provide a complete set of teaware and high-quality Alishan oolong tea. The introduction to the tea is written on a scroll tied with straw rope, simple yet elegant. Books and magazines, including "The Lalu Chronicle," are also provided, perfect companions for relaxing, enjoying tea, and admiring the sea view from the balcony. However, a weighty copy of "The Analects" also catches the eye. The Qingdao Lalu places significant emphasis on the interpretation of (Confucian) culture.