Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced it will open a new hotel in 2012 in Lhasa, a city set on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, the highest region on earth.
Greg Dogan, president and chief executive officer of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, said: “Shangri-La is delighted to announce a new project in the Himalayas which will support development efforts in the region. The tourism and hospitality industry will bring greater prosperity to Tibet and we are proud that Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa can be part of that growth.”
The 350-room hotel will be located on Lingkor Road, 1.5 kilometres from the Potala Palace, the famous 7th century complex at the centre of Lhasa. Guestrooms will begin at 36 square metres and little touches will include Tibetan welcome rituals as well as local hand churned butter tea.
Taking into consideration the difficulty of acclimatising to the high altitude, the hotel will be surrounded by extensive gardens and indigenous plants which will help increase oxygen levels. Furthermore the hotel will house a full service clinic with medical staff ready to attend to guests.
Features will include an all-day dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a bar and a lobby lounge, as well as an indoor swimming pool and health club.
