US$72 Million Renovation Heralds New Era at Shangri-La Beijing

Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing is capturing the timeless romance of the mythical "Shangri-La" through a two-phase US$72 million renovation that is transforming the property into a shimmering modern vision of paradise for travelers.

The first phase of the renovation will be completed in June 2004 at a cost of US$22 million and will re-enforce Shangri-La Beijing's reputation as one of the Chinese capital's most luxurious, world-class hotels. Phase two of Shangri-La Beijing's ambitious upgrade involves the construction of a US$50 million, 18-storey Tower linked to the existing property by an enclosed walkway. The new Tower, to be known as the Horizon Tower, will be completed in 2006.

Lightness of Being: New Lobby Design Evokes Mystical Chinese Floating Palace

Shangri-La Beijing auspiciously ushered in the New Year with the unveiling of its grand new lobby and signature restaurants and lounges following four months of major construction.

Designed as a "floating palace in the sky", the Lobby Lounge and its Cloud Nine Bar soothe the senses with silver cloud motifs, opulent golden lighting, floating ceilings, translucent artworks of mountain pinnacles and weightless floating glass walls. The Lobby Lounge and Cloud Nine Bar serve an elaborate selection of teas, including Chinese, Western, herbal and fruit infusions, coffee and cocktails to guests and local business executives keen to close deals near the lobby's four-headed feng shui turtle, which has been a good-luck symbol since the hotel's opening in 1987.

Also debuting in December were the new contemporary Cafe Cha (formerly the Coffee Garden) and the relocated and redesigned Shang Palace Chinese restaurant, which now overlooks the hotel's gardens from its new second-storey perch. A key point of the renovation was to thoughtfully incorporate the hotel's Chinese garden into the interior design motif. Following the renovation, all of the hotel's restaurants and the lobby have enhanced views of the hotel's landscaped garden, whose pavilions, waterfall and koi-stocked pond are being further beautified. The hotel's main entrance and reception were also handsomely redesigned.

Phase One of the renovation will end in June 2004 with the refurbishment of the hotel's 657 guest rooms and suites. The guest room design also will express the airy, floating palace theme found in the lobby. Each and every room offers a new modern luxury with an impressive list of amenities. For the business traveler, all rooms are upgraded with broadband and wireless Internet access while the exclusive Horizon Club rooms include facsimile machines, CD and DVD players.

The Horizon Tower: Raising Luxury to New Heights

Phase two of Shangri-La Beijing's upgrade will commence in March 2004. The main feature of the tower will be the hotel's new Horizon Club, which will incorporate 150 guest rooms with a minimum size of 45 square meters as well as specialty suites, including a new presidential suite. Other facilities in the tower will include a fitness center with a 25-metre indoor swimming pool; a spa; a 1,600 square meter Conference Hall seating up to 1,200 banquet guests and 18 multi-use function rooms. There will also be new Shanghainese and Japanese restaurants, an entertainment club and luxury-brand shopping outlets.

Commenting on the renovation and upgrade, General Manager George Wee said: "Shangri-La Beijing was one of the very first five-star hotels in the capital when it opened 17 years ago. We were deluxe then and are more so now. We are completely transforming our hotel into one of the best that Beijing can offer, and the result will be superb value for our guests. In particular, this massive upgrade will allow us to provide cutting-edge IT facilities to our corporate clients, many of whom are visiting neighboring Zhongguancun (best known as Beijing's Silicon Valley) and the financial district."