Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts spreads its hospitality in the heart of the Himalayas. Luxury 289-room urban retreat in Tibet is set to open its door on 17 April 2014. Inspired by traditional Tibetan architecture, the centrepiece of the new hotel will be a 6.5-metre bell-like chandelier, designed to resemble a Tibetan prayer wheel. Guests will approach the hotel through a grand entrance gate, which opens onto an expansive plaza and is inspired by traditional Tibetan architecture, as is the hotel’s exterior.
Among the hotel’s 289 rooms are 10 long-stay apartments. Guestrooms, some of which offer views of the Potala Palace, start from 42 square metres and are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access. The hotel will also include a range of dining venues and recreational facilities. The hotel’s signature outlet is Shambala, a tapas bar and lounge. It pays homage to the region by featuring authentic Tibetan cuisine. Signature dishes will include Roasted Lamb Ribs marinated in Tibetan yoghurt and Baked Bacon wrapped in Tibetan cheese. Guests will also find a variety of traditional Yunnan dishes on the menu. There is also an oxygen lounge designed to help guests acclimatise to the altitude in Lhasa, which lies 3,650 metres above sea-level.
There will be two pavilions built by Tibetan craftsmen housing a spa, gym, an indoor swimming pool, while for destination meetings and events, organisers will find ballrooms and function spaces starting from 81 square metres. The 1,215-square-metre Grand Ballroom is the largest in the city. The eves of the ballroom are inspired by Jokhang Temple, while the ceiling is covered in wallpaper using a gold brush technique. The breakout area at Level 5 leads to the Outdoor Terrace, which overlooks Potala Palace and the surrounding mountain range, making it an ideal space for a pre-event cocktail.
The Shangri-La Tibet will join the company’s existing portfolio of 37 hotels in mainland China, with a further 16 in the pipeline.
