Shangri-La To Open In Lhasa

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, the Asia Pacific luxury hotel group, is slated to open a new hotel in 2012 in Lhasa, on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, the highest inhabited region on earth.

The 350-room luxury urban resort will be owned and operated by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and will be located on Lingkor Road, 1.5 kilometers from the Potala Palace. The hotel will be about half a kilometre from other notable Lhasa landmarks including: Chokpori, known as "Iron Mountain" and one of the four holy mountains of central Tibet; Norbu Lingka, the summer palace originally built in 1755; and the Tibet Museum.

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa will include modern interpretations of traditional Tibetan architectural motifs and interiors will feature locally produced arts, crafts and fabrics in a contemporary layout. Guestrooms will begin at 36 square meters and many will offer views of the Potala Palace. Service touches will include Tibetan welcome rituals and the local hand churned butter tea.

The hotel's design will also take into consideration the difficulties travelers face acclimating to the high altitude and will attempt to mitigate its effects. Inspired by the window boxes of flowers found outside traditional Lhasa homes, the hotel will be surrounded with extensive garden landscaping featuring indigenous plants to increase oxygen levels in the area. The hotel will also have a full service clinic with medical staff to attend to guests.

The property will feature a variety of dining and entertainment options including an all-day dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a bar, and a lobby lounge. Recreational facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and health club will be available. The meeting and banqueting facilities will include a 1,700-square-meter grand ballroom, complemented by several smaller function rooms.