The Apartment, a brand-new exclusive member lounge, has officially launched at Suzhou Village. As a signature hospitality space of The Bicester Collection, The Apartment is curated for invitation-only members. It integrates artistic aesthetics, bespoke hospitality and limited-edition culinary experiences, delivering guests a more private, unhurried setting for shopping, relaxation and socialising. The launch further enriches the lakeside micro-getaway lifestyle offerings at Suzhou Village, ushering in a slow-living journey filled with relaxation and refined quality.
A tourist shopping destination blending fashion retail, lakeside views, distinctive cuisine, art and thoughtful hospitality, Suzhou Village consistently refreshes its brand lineup, design-forward shopping environments and diverse lifestyle offerings to deliver a fulfilling one-day micro-getaway for local and international visitors alike. The grand opening of The Apartment completes Suzhou Village's full spectrum of guest services, adding new dimensions of relaxation, social connection and gourmet indulgence to every shopping trip.
Sebastien Dallee, Vice President, Hospitality and Food & Beverage, The Bicester Collection China, commented: "The Apartment is not a static or fixed space, but an evolving experiential environment. We always begin with guest insight. Every conversation about a new idea becomes not the end point, but the starting point for further development and execution."
An Artistic Residence: A Private Space for Leisure
Nestled on Via della Corona at Suzhou Village, The Apartment draws design inspiration from European Liberty aesthetics intertwined with the subtle, elegant charm of Suzhou's local design heritage, resembling a private residence tucked away from the bustle.
Centred around the concept of a private residence, The Apartment harmonises the fluid graceful curves of European Liberty style with the warm, understated charm of Suzhou's local design language. Layered materials, colour palettes, curated art installations and functional zones create a seamless, natural spatial rhythm, crafting an exclusive space that balances privacy, artistic flair and everyday livability.
Discussing the design philosophy, Sebastien Dallee shared: "We wanted the space to feel more like a private residence, rather than a traditional hotel, club, or business lounge. We started from the idea that this is a private residence, reducing the public-space feel created by functional signage, allowing guests to relax more naturally. For example, when guests enter the space, they will notice that there are no prominent restroom signs. This feels completely natural in a home, but in a commercial setting it requires a fundamental shift in mindset."
Every Apartment defines a dedicated muse, and for this space, that muse is Mei Ling. Centred around this character, the space unfolds its narrative through the thread of tea, with the beverage menu and several food offerings incorporating creative tea expressions, ensuring the story line runs throughout.
Sebastien Dallee explained: "We remain faithful to the starting point of the story and allow that narrative thread to continue. We refer to this continuous thread as the 'fil rouge' — the red thread. Without it, a space lacks a true core. That is why, from staff uniforms and tableware to glassware, flowers, and every detail of the experience, we try to ensure that everything shares the same identity and story logic."
The space features multiple distinct areas including private styling suites, lounges, rest areas and a scenic terrace. Vintage fireplaces, artistic murals, curated furniture and an expansive outdoor terrace complement one another, with every detail carefully considered. Merging Eastern and Western design sensibilities, the space serves as an elegant retreat for quiet alone time, intimate meetings and casual social gatherings.
Notably, around 20 percent of the elements are sourced from found objects, including pieces from vintage galleries and unique artworks. Across the space, approximately 1,200 different materials were used, including ceramics, lighting, fabrics, and many other detailed components. The process of selecting and refining these materials alone took more than 18 months.
Sebastien Dallee added: "The space also leaves room for continuous change, and that is part of its charm. It is like a canvas that can be continually reimagined. The food and beverage experiences will keep evolving, and the decorative details will also change over time. This feels very much like a real home: people change photographs, add books, adjust lighting, or rearrange objects."
Far more than just a rest stop during shopping excursions, The Apartment is a dedicated destination where guests can slow down, immerse themselves in design, appreciate art and savour quality time with loved ones.
Bespoke Concierge: Tailored Hospitality for Every Visit
The launch of The Apartment marks a new milestone in elevated guest experiences at Suzhou Village. From arrival and shopping to rest and personal styling, dedicated concierge services address personalised needs at every touchpoint, imbuing each visit with effortless comfort and ceremonial charm.
Hands-free shopping allows guests to explore the village unburdened by shopping bags. Personal shopper provides professional styling recommendations and one-on-one shopping companionship. Four private styling suites provide a discreet, comfortable setting for unrushed fittings and personalised styling sessions.
Regarding the service philosophy, Sebastien Dallee said: "Truly understanding our guests lies at the heart of hospitality. Through behind-the-scenes digital systems, we gain deeper insight into guest preferences and create personalized experiences with a stronger sense of exclusivity and emotional connection. We are not pursuing a one-size-fits-all luxury service; instead, we want to design gestures that genuinely reflect each guest's lifestyle and needs."
He further illustrated: "If we know that a guest's pet has an upcoming birthday, we may prepare a special pet cake. If it is a child's birthday, we may curate a customized gift or experience accordingly. Even details such as preferred room temperature, coffee preferences, or dietary requirements can shape how a guest remembers the experience."
The Apartment has established a dedicated butler system, with each butler looking after around 25 to 30 guests and continuously learning their preferences, habits, and needs — whether that means knowing if they take milk with espresso, whether they have a specific allergy, or whether they only need a brief pause before continuing their shopping journey.
On service details, Sebastien Dallee specifically noted: "White gloves are often seen as a symbol of luxury service, but they would feel unnecessarily formal in a home setting. For that reason, our service team does not wear white gloves, helping to reduce the sense of distance. The food service follows the same philosophy. Dishes are brought to the table by the chef, echoing the warmth of being served by family at home."
End-to-end bespoke concierge services seamlessly weave shopping, relaxation and socialising into a cohesive journey. Guests can step away from the crowds within art-inspired surroundings and experience Suzhou Village's thoughtful, heartfelt hospitality in every subtle detail. Whether browsing retail stores, catching up with friends or refining personal style, The Apartment ensures every visit feels effortless, authentic and uniquely personalised.
Exclusive Gourmet: A Cross-Cultural Culinary Journey
A suite of limited-edition dining experiences has launched alongside The Apartment, merging relaxation, leisure and refined gastronomy to deliver multi-layered lifestyle enjoyment.
As a core highlight of The Apartment experience, Stefan Stiller, founder and chef of Shanghai's three-Michelin-starred Taian Table, has partnered with a retail destination for the first time to craft an exclusive menu. Drawing inspiration from how Western culinary foundations are reimagined through an Eastern lens, the menu takes guests on an exquisite cross-cultural voyage.
Commenting on the collaboration, Stefan Stiller said: "For the food experience, we wanted to create a sense of hospitality that feels as natural and welcoming as visiting a friend's home — with familiar, comforting dishes and small bites, but elevated through quality, presentation, and attention to detail. The Bicester Collection originated in the UK, while this experience is taking place in China, so we wanted to find the right balance between East and West, bringing together flavors, aesthetics, and ways of hosting from different cultures."
Currently, guests can first experience the afternoon tea service. At the same time, the team is continuing to develop signature dishes, à la carte options, and customized set menus for private dining occasions. The project is still being refined and developed, with new content and formats to be introduced in the future.
The signature beverage menu is created in collaboration with Spirits. Architects, the consultancy behind Hope & Sesame, ranked No.1 in 2026 Asia’s 50 Best Bars.The custom cocktail list takes inspiration from The Bicester Collection's 12 villages, reimagining regional cultural ingredients and flavours. Each cocktail represents one village and tells its own unique story, inviting guests to embark on a global journey of taste.
Bastien Ciocca, Co-Founder of Hope & Sesame and Spirits Architects, shared the story behind the cocktail menu: "The entire cocktail experience begins with Mei Ling's story. Rather than creating a single signature drink, we built a complete journey around her character: where she has travelled, what she has discovered, and how different cultures have shaped her taste and experiences. We created a full personal profile for Mei Ling and mapped out her journey across different destinations — from Suzhou, where the story begins, to other regions around the world. Each drink represents a chapter in that journey."
He further explained: "When designing the cocktail menu, we did not want it to be a conventional drinks list, because The Apartment itself is not a bar. Instead, we wanted to create something more like a collectible book — a piece that guests would want to browse, keep, and explore page by page, as if discovering a cherished object at home."
On what makes the cocktail experience unique, Bastien Ciocca noted: "The uniqueness of this cocktail experience first lies in the level of refinement behind every detail. Throughout the development process, we continuously adjusted recipes, refined flavors, and even changed the glassware multiple times to ensure that taste, visual presentation, and the overall drinking experience worked seamlessly together. Another highlight is the design of the garnishes — we wanted to present something more restrained and thoughtful, with garnishes having their own character while remaining elegant and balanced."
Each cocktail represents one village and tells its own unique story, inviting guests to embark on a global journey of taste that encapsulates The Bicester Collection's mission to connect cities, cultures and ways of life.
Cross-Industry Collaboration: Creating Unique Experiences Through Shared Beliefs
This collaboration marks the first time both Stefan Stiller and the Spirits Architects team,the consultancy behind，Hope & Sesame have partnered with a retail brand. Speaking about the opportunity, both parties noted that the partnership is built on long-standing mutual trust and a shared pursuit of quality.
Stefan Stiller stated: "We have known the team for many years and have previously created a number of experience-led initiatives together, including the terrace afternoon tea at Shanghai Village. The relationship grew gradually from smaller early collaborations and naturally developed into this more complete and in-depth partnership."
Bastien Ciocca added: "What makes this partnership meaningful is the strong alignment of values between both sides. We are both committed to creating exceptional experiences, understanding our guests in depth, and upholding consistently high standards of quality. When choosing partners, we place great importance on the authenticity and relevance of the relationship. This collaboration works because both sides share a highly aligned target audience and the same pursuit of excellence."
Sebastien Dallee also emphasised the unique value of this collaboration: "All parties shared a clear vision from the beginning: to co-create a guest experience with genuine quality, character, and memorability. Equally important, our partners bring a genuine passion for their craft. They are not simply fulfilling a brief; they are deeply committed to what they do, with long-standing expertise and creative dedication. That is why, when we pursue a higher standard together, the result often goes beyond expectations."
Continuously Elevating the Destination Shopping Experience
From rotating brand rosters and scenic lakeside spaces to artistic lounges, bespoke hospitality and exclusive dining offerings, Suzhou Village continues to deepen its breadth of destination experiences, giving guests more reasons to slow down, explore freely and savour life's simple pleasures.
The debut of The Apartment not only upgrades the full guest journey at Suzhou Village, but also embodies The Bicester Collection's ongoing exploration of spaces, hospitality and lifestyle. Moving forward, Suzhou Village will keep refreshing its brand portfolio, service standards, venue design and diverse lifestyle offerings, striving to deliver a premium, exploratory and joyful destination shopping experience for visitors from home and abroad.
The debut of The Apartment not only upgrades the full guest journey at Suzhou Village, but also embodies The Bicester Collection's ongoing exploration of spaces, hospitality and lifestyle. Moving forward, Suzhou Village will keep refreshing its brand portfolio, service standards, venue design and diverse lifestyle offerings, striving to deliver a premium, exploratory and joyful destination shopping experience for visitors from home and abroad.
