Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will open a new property in Lhasa, a city on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, one of the highest inhabited regions on earth. Opening in spring 2014, the 289-room luxury urban resort is built amidst a striking mountain landscape of glaciers, valleys and lakes.
Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa is a convenient distance from the palaces and Buddhist temple monastery that make up the Potala Palace ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To help guests acclimatise to Lhasa’s high altitude, the property will be encircled by gardens, featuring indigenous plants to boost oxygen levels. The hotel will also have a fully staffed medical clinic and oxygen lounge.
“Place of God” – The Capital and Largest City in Tibet
In Tibetan, Lhasa means “Place of God.” For centuries, it has been the political, economic, cultural, and religious capital of the region. Travelers can reach the city by train, on the world’s highest railway, or by air. Lhasa’s Gonggar Airport is located 50 kilometres from the city centre.
Lhasa sits on a flat plateau on the banks of the Lhasa River, at an altitude of 3,650 metres above sea level. The city is surrounded by the Himalayan mountain range, and has over 1,300 years of history. The Potala Palace was founded in the seventh century as the Dalai Lama’s winter residence.
Rooms & Suites
Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa will reflect traditional Tibetan architectural motifs in a modern space. Its interior design will involve local art, crafts and fabrics.
The hotel will comprise 262 spacious guest rooms and 17 suites, including exclusive Horizon Club accommodation and a private lounge. Guest rooms will have a minimum size of 43 sqm/463 sqft. Many will boast views of the Potala Palace and mountains. Services will include Tibetan welcome rituals and local hand churned butter tea.
Ten furnished, long-stay apartments will be available, with one or two bedrooms and amenities. They will offer between 86sqm/925sqft and 129sqm/1,388sqft of comfortable living space.
The hotel will feature a variety of Shangri-La’s signature dining and entertainment options, while taking in Tibetan culture and Lhasa’s unique landscape. Altitude, the all-day-dining restaurant, will allow guests to discover local, Asian and Western cuisines through live cooking stations. The design will be contemporary, with interiors inspired by the majestic Himalayas.
Shang Palace, the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant, will boast a number of private dining rooms, ideal for entertaining or family and social gatherings. There will also be a main dining hall. The cuisine will be traditional Cantonese and Sichuan, using fresh ingredients and high quality produce that are sourced locally and regionally.
Shambala will be a tapas bar and lounge with mountain views and a beautiful outdoor terrace. The menu will feature Tibetan-Yunnan style tapas, and a selection of international wines and beverages. The Lodgers Lounge, at the heart of the hotel, will offer tea, snacks and beverages in a chic and casual environment with live music.
The hotel will offer a spacious and well-equipped health club and a 25-metre indoor swimming pool. An oxygen lounge, reflexology pavilion and medical clinic will assist guests in adjusting to the altitude. Shangri-La’s signature CHI, The Spa will provide a sanctuary in which to relax and rejuvenate.
Photo credit: Trip advisor
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
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