This past June, Guy and I were fortunate enough to be invited by Shangri-la Hotel to their new hotel in Lhasa as a part of their Advisory Board meeting (Guy is on the board).  I hadn’t been to Lhasa in almost ten years and the last time we were there, the Lhasa Hotel was the best on offer.  Since then, both the Shangri-la and St. Regis hotels have opened, giving luxury travelers a chance to experience this unbelievable culture without having to sacrifice those creature comforts with which we’ve become all too accustomed. 

The St. Regis has now been open for 6-7 years and unfortunately, time is already taking its toll.  Fortunately though, the Shangri-la has opened and within one week of opening, managed to satisfy and surpass the expectations of some of the travel industry’s most elite members.

The Shangri-la is located in the west, outside the old city, but very close to the Norbulingka (the Dalai Lama’s Summer Palace).  Another nice feature is that it is located next to an older Tibetan village so that as you drive up to the hotel, you see traditional Tibetan rooftops, giving you a real sense of place.  The hotel also tries to keep Tibetan elements alive throughout the hotel, whether it be in patterns in upholstery and woodwork, the dress of the front desk staff, to traditional breakfast items at the morning buffet. 

The room product is amongst the best in the city, with entry level starting at 43 sqm and some on the upper floors with distant views of the Potala Palace.  The next category is a Premier room which is very nice at 61 sqm.  There are also several types of suites, with the entry Executive Suites consisting of a separate living room and bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms and very comfortable.  Larger suites had not yet opened.

Food in the hotel was great in a city where many ingredients need to be imported.  We were treated to a wide array of cuisines from fusion Tibetan (since yak butter mixed with tsampa or raw barley isn’t to everyone’s liking), to Western bbq with delicious local purple yams and lamb to refined Chinese.  The breakfasts were also plentiful with something for everyone.

All in all, the Shangri-la is a highly welcome addition to the Lhasa hotel scene.