Hilton Shanghai is offering a new feature to offer connoisseurs a fresh venue to savour fine cigars. Just launched in June, Libre Cigar Lounge, provides individuals who love this genteel recreation with more than 20 brands and 60 types of Cuba’s best products. The collection includes limited versions of cigars with essences ranging from light to strong. It is located at the western area of the hotel lobby.
Design
Designed by renowned Japanese architect, Hirokazu Saito, the venue reveals a lavish interior with an authentic British flavour. Covering a 120-metre floor area, the ritzy 35-seat lounge has a VIP room and is furnished with rosewood tea tables, arty floor lamps and lush leather sofas with Chinese cushions; as well as a comprehensive set of appliances and gadgets commonly associated with the enjoyment of cigars: a cigar humidor, cutters, punch, special lighters and ashtrays.
Origin of the name Libre
The name of the cigar lounge originates from an established hotel in Cuba, originally a Hilton hotel but now carries the name, Libre Hotel. With the name Libre (Spanish term for liberal) the lounge is designed to give guests an unrestrained, atmospheric environment as they light up and relish the delicate and emphatic aroma of a truly superior cigar.
Cigars indicate elegance and sophistication – a pleasure enjoyed through the ages by sophisticated individuals with discriminating preferences. This stylish habit has brought forth the birth of cigar lounges, a favourite haunt of people seeking the ultimate place to enjoy its distinctive qualities.
About the founder
The founder of the lounge, Richard Meng first tried the cigar in 2005, an experience that instantly captivated his palate with its rich scent and intrigued his creativity with its uncomplicated production process. Mr Meng made a few trips to Cuba and got fascinated with Cuban cigars. Sun Bo of Shanghai Yes Cigar Management Company owns a cigar lounge while Architect Saito is also an enthusiast of this tobacco variety and owns several private cigar lounges in Tokyo. These gentlemen who share a common passion got together and successfully launched this luxury lounge which eventually became a great favourite among social elites.