Shangri-La, Tokyo Opens
First Hotel in Japan for Shangri-La
MARCH 3, 2009 - Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo officially opened at 10:15 a.m. on 2 March 2009, when General Manager Wolfgang Krueger opened the main entrance in accordance with feng shui traditions, following a lion dance ceremony attended by guests of honor and the hotel's employees. It is Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' first hotel in Japan.
'Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has searched for the perfect venue and partner in Japan for a long time. The Japanese market is an essential market for us as we expand internationally. Today, I am delighted to say we now have a hotel in Tokyo, one of Asia's and the world's key capitals, and that we will be able to offer our guests in Japan traditional Shangri-La hospitality,' said Madhu Rao, Managing Director and CEO of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo occupies the top 11 floors of Marunouchi Trust Tower Main, a 37-floor, mixed-use building adjacent to Tokyo Station, and offers views of Marunouchi to the east and Tokyo Bay to the west. The 202-room hotel contains two restaurants - Piacere, a signature Italian restaurant, and Nadaman, an authentic Japanese restaurant - as well as the Lobby Lounge offering afternoon tea and live entertainment. CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, the group's own award-winning spa brand developed from ancient Chinese and Himalayan healing therapies, makes its Japanese debut. The hotel also features meeting rooms and banquet facilities, wedding facilities complete with a chapel, a health club, an indoor swimming pool and the Horizon Club lounge, which offers an elevated level of service. Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo is also home to over 2,000 pieces of artwork and more than 50 distinct chandeliers handmade in the Czech Republic by Lasvit, a world-renowned light design and manufacturing company. In homage to the city of Tokyo, glass carved into the shape of ginkgo leaves - the symbol of Tokyo - decorates various chandeliers throughout the hotel. In addition, a 10-metre long chandelier illuminates a grand staircase connecting Levels 27, 28 and 29.
The hotel's interior is designed by Hirsh Bedner Associates, based in Santa Monica, California, while the Horizon Club lounge, Piacere and Nadaman are designed by Andre Fu of AFSO, a Hong Kong-based design studio. Shangri-La's unique brand is exemplified through a grand staircase, elegant chandeliers and bold carpets, complemented with a distinct Japanese influence. In addition, flower arrangements by Nicolai Bergmann, one of the most celebrated foreign artists in Japan renowned for his contemporary floral designs, feature prominently within the hotel. Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo is the first hotel in the world to feature Bergmann's works in all areas of the hotel, from public areas and guestrooms to wedding facilities.
Based on the corporate philosophy of 'Shangri-La hospitality from caring people', Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo will provide guests with legendary Asian hospitality. The name Shangri-La was inspired by James Hilton's classic novel Lost Horizon. A tranquil heaven deep in the Himalayas, Shangri-La cast a spell on all those who resided there.
In celebration of its opening, Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo offers 'Discover Shangri-La', a special stay package. Until 12 April 2009, guests can experience Shangri-La's legendary hospitality in a Deluxe room at JPY110,000 per night (tax and service charge excluded), including breakfast and an opening commemorative gift, single or double occupancy, subject to availability.
Robbe & Berking, one of the world's leading and most exclusive silver manufacturers, created the premium, commemorative gift, which is not on sale commercially in Japan. Each item carries a serial number and is limited to the first 200 packages sold. Items are limited to one per guest with a maximum of two gifts per room.
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 62 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 28,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The group has over 50 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Japan, Macau, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States.
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