Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts recently marked the opening of the Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin.
Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin is located on the banks of the scenic Li River and features many city firsts and superlatives.These include the city’s largest guestrooms; the largest state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities; the only hotel to have a wedding pagoda and the first hotel to feature indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
The 449-room Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin features 17 suites and also incorporates Shangri-La’s Horizon Club guest rooms and lounge. For meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions, the 1,800-sq-m Grand Ballroom, the largest ballroom in Guilin, is the perfect venue for hosting high-profile events of up to 2,000 people.
With six additional private function rooms and a dedicated VIP room the property is able to cater to a diverse range of event needs, from small private gatherings to conferences or large social events. In addition, Guilin’s first and only wedding pagoda makes the hotel a much sought-after location for weddings.
The property also features a comprehensive range of recreational facilities including indoor and outdoor pools in addition to tennis courts and a health club.
The hotel’s culinary offering includes Shang Palace Chinese restaurant, which offers Cantonese, Hunanese and Huaiyang cuisines as well as local Guilin specialties against a backdrop of the Li River. The Li Café features live food action stations showcasing both western and Asian cuisine and U Bar offers an assortment of grills and beverages. For business or pleasure, the Lobby Lounge is a warm and intimate location which serves desserts and pastries, a Chinese-influenced snack menu and high tea from afternoon to evening. Surrounded by lush gardens, the pool bar offers fresh and simple snacks and meals as well as a diverse range of cocktails and juices.
The hotel offers guests a luxury cruise experience along the Li River – the only luxury hotel in the city to provide this exclusive waterborne journey. Until October 31, 2010, guests can book the suite cruise package and enjoy two nights in an executive suite, a 90-minute morning or afternoon guided tour, a gourmet four-course meal cooked on-board by the hotel’s executive chef, daily breakfast for two and full Horizon Club access and privileges.
Sailing from Long Chuan Ping Jetty to Die Cai Mountain, guests can enjoy a classical Chinese guzheng (a Chinese plucked zither) performance as the boat journeys across a 10-km natural river gallery, passing 10 of Guilin’s most famous mountains such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Seven Star Hill and Laoren Hill.
The suite cruise package is offered at RMB8,888 ($1,300) for two and, also includes round-trip airport and jetty transfers by hotel limousine. The rate quoted excludes tax and service charge and is subject to availability.