Shangri-La to manage its first Hotel in U.S. - Shangri-La Hotel, Chicago

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is to manage its first hotel in the United States, the Shangri-La Hotel, Chicago. The group signed a management contract with Waterview LLC, the project's developer, to operate the luxury hotel, which will open in early 2009 in the new Waterview Tower located along the Chicago River at the corner of West Wacker Drive and Clark Street.

The 200-room hotel will be situated on floors 12 through 27 of the 90-story Waterview Tower, which will be within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, Lake Michigan, the city's central business district and world-class theaters and museums. The tower, which will also feature 233 elite residential condominiums, was designed by renowned architect Thomas Hoepf, AIA, of the nationally recognized design firm Teng & Associates. At 1,050-feet (320-meters), the mixed-use development will be the fifth tallest building in Chicago.

"We took great care to find the very best location for our American debut, and we believe the Waterview Tower is the ideal launching pad for our brand within the U.S.," said Giovanni Angelini, Shangri-La's chief executive officer and managing director. "Our reputation has been built over three decades in Asia Pacific and the Middle East, and we are excited that our signature warm and gracious style of Asian hospitality will be introduced to America in Chicago."

The Shangri-La Hotel, Chicago will bring new standards of luxury to the city with sweeping views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, exquisite exterior and interior design, spacious guestrooms and suites, round-the-clock butler service, a signature spa, restaurants and meeting space.

"We are extremely delighted and honored that Shangri-La has selected Waterview Tower and Chicago as their entry into the United States," said Ivan Dvorak, chief executive officer of Waterview LLC. "Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is regarded as Asia's finest luxury hotel group, and the deluxe Shangri-La Hotel, Chicago will be a perfect complement to our beautifully appointed residential condominiums. It will play a significant role in putting Waterview Tower on the international map as well as making it the ultimate address in Chicago."

The hotel's restaurant options will include the street-level Wintergarden Lounge, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, pre-theater supper and light evening meals, and the Sunset Promenade, overlooking the Chicago River and offering light lunches, afternoon refreshments plus evening cocktails. The hotel's Asian feature restaurant will specialize in creative seasonal cuisine presented in a chic environment reflective of the nearby theater district.

Shangri-La's spa brand CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, will also debut in Chicago, offering treatments based on ancient Chinese and Himalayan healing therapies. Designed to create a sanctuary of tranquility inspired by the legend of "Shangri-La," CHI will feature seven spacious private suites that will provide a "spa within a spa" atmosphere. In addition, the hotel will have a 24-hour fitness club in a windowed 6,000-square-foot (557-square-meter) space offering the latest fitness equipment, indoor pool, whirlpool, steam and sauna room, a juice bar, plus a separate yoga and Pilates area.

Designed to be a popular social and meeting destination, the hotel will offer private function rooms and a grand ballroom accommodating up to 250 guests for cocktail receptions and 180 guests for dinner. The hotel's business center will provide private work stations, a boardroom and a "green room" for VIPs.

The 200 hotel condominium units will be offered for sale to individuals by Waterview LLC. Hotel condominium unit owners will be entitled to personal use as well as participation in the hotel-managed program.

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