Shanghai Daily news

Hilton Shanghai has cemented its reputation as the official hotel of the Tennis Masters Cup with newly-refurbished Executive Floor Rooms and Lounge as well as the trans fat-free menus.

Boasting a close partnership with sporting events, the hotel has sponsored the Heineken Open in 1999 and has been the official hotel of the Masters Cup since 2002.

It will provide this year's lodging for some 1,000 members of the international tennis community including the players, coaches, officials, family members, sponsors and dignitaries. In addition, the hotel will provide catering for some 20,000 people throughout the tournament at Qi Zhong Tennis Center.

The hotel has put a lot of thought into its food and beverage options. While strictly following nutritional guidelines and preferences provided by the TMC organizers, Hilton Shanghai tries to vary the players' menus each year.

"Eating the same thing year after year would bore them. Our aim is to make this as enjoyable an event as possible, not just for the players, but also for the 20,000 fans at the stadium," says Volkmar Ruebel, general manager of the hotel.

According to Ruebel, around 10,000 sausages were sold last year from Hilton's catering stand at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center during the games.

Hilton Shanghai is the first hotel in Shanghai to completely ban trans fats from its menus. Trans fats, known to increase the risk of coronary heart disease, have been replaced with healthier substitutes in all in-house dishes and gourmet products.

In fact, the tennis masters are not very critical of their food. "They are all healthy young athletes who enjoy a variety of nutritious food to keep their strength. There's no special requirement. They are actually much easier than some rock stars or singers," says Ruebel.

In the Executive Rooms, the players find a new bathroom and a 107-centimeter flat screen TV. To ensure that they feel right at home, the hotel has added personalized touches to their suites including bathrobes, towels and pillows, which are all embroidered with their names in both Chinese and English.

Obviously, Hilton Shanghai has benefited a lot from hosting the Masters Cup. "The Masters have brought us a great deal of media exposure. But more important is that the event has given great pride and confidence to every member of our staff.

The whole hotel works together, showing our best to the world. And the players are also glad to meet the same staff every year, which makes them feel more at ease," says Ruebel.