Shangri-La Lhasa Officially Opens

Luxury rises in Tibet with the opening of the new 289-room Shangri-La, Hotel, Lhasa. The hotel debuted yesterday in the Himalayan city.

In Lhasa, guests are greeted with the offering of a had (a traditional ceremonial white silk scarf) and the throwing of barley on the chema (a wooden container used by Tibetans to pray for a bumper harvest) before being escorted to their room. There, they are served yak butter tea in Tibetan pots.

Inside the hotel, the lobby pays homage to elements found in traditional Tibetan culture. The visual anchor of the lobby lounge is a 21-foot bell-like chandelier made from 61,000 pieces of crystal and draped in flowing red fabric. The chandelier is reminiscent of a prayer wheel and is complemented by the lounge's warm tones. 

Rooms measure at 452 square feet, with either garden, mountain or Potala Palace views, as well as complimentary mini-bar upon arrival and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. In addition, the hotel's signature Horizon Club Rooms and Horizon Club Lounge, which open in July, provide a host of extra benefits. 

Visitors to Lhasa are advised to acclimate to the altitude, and Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa has a facility to help with that, including the first oxygen lounge in a hotel as well as a full-service clinic. Inside the lounge, the oxygen level is the same as at sea level, so guests can breathe comfortably while relaxing and enjoying reflexology treatments. Guests can also unwind in CHI, The Spa, which offers signature massages and facials along with a menu of Tibetan-inspired treatments.

For more information visit www.shangri-la.com.