A true representation of what the name and the brand stands for, Shangri-La Bengaluru is a sensory delight and a great addition to the city’s hotelscape. BY BABITA KRISHNAN
Inspired by the legendary land featured in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon, the name Shangri-La encapsulates the serenity and service for which Shangri-La is renowned worldwide. Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is reputedly one of the world’s premier hotel ownership and management companies. This tradition of service excellence started with the opening of the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore in 1971.
With more than 90 properties across the globe, the latest feather in its cap is the recently-opened Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru. The 397-room Shangri-La, sits on nearly two acres of land between the central business district and residential suburb and represents a unique blend of the group’s signature service of ‘hospitality from the heart’ and legendary Indian hospitality. The property is set to be the city’s leading destination for business and pleasure, offering a dynamic array of restaurants and bars and arresting public and meeting spaces.
This 19-storeys tall structure in a leafy blue ribbon suburb on Palace Road, is reminiscent of a bygone regal era. With design playing an important role in enhancing the guest experience, the nine-metre-high lobby showcases nine impressive cylindrical chandeliers and imposing marble columns highlighted by wall sconces call attention to intricate Indian motifs. The ‘sense of place’ experience that is so centric to the Shangri-La ethos is reflected even in the jewel-toned sherwani (long coat) and brocade headdress of the doorman and the embroidered sari of the guest relations officer that reveal colours and textures specific to local artisans.
OFFERINGS
Providing spectacular views of Bengaluru skyline are 397 guestrooms and suites ranging in size from 41 to 274 square metres. All rooms employ an earthy colour palette enhanced by light and dark timber, tufted leather headboards and carved embellishments, and are equipped with complimentary high-speed Internet access – one of Shangri-La’s signature offerings worldwide, exquisitely appointed with plush carpets and king or twin beds swathed in luxurious linens. Residents of the hotel’s 30 suites, including the three Governor Suites and the exclusive Shangri-La Suite, enjoy full access to the Horizon Club Lounge that is a symbol of exceptional standard of quality and service. The guest is pampered with extra privileges here, while butler service is available to guests residing in the Governor or Shangri-La Suites.
As the largest food and beverage destination in the city, Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru offers diners a plethora of authentic and modern cuisines in some of the most spectacular settings at its eight dining options, all of which be fully operational latest by the year-end. Each restaurant cleverly combines indoor and outdoor seating to offer expansive views of the city and a dining experience that goes beyond just satiating guests. The guests can enjoy b café, Shang Palace, Horizon Lounge and the Lobby Lounge for now and look forward to the opening of Ssaffron, Yattai, Capresse and Hype soon
For the health and fitness freaks, the property has converted level 3 as the wellness zone with the gym, pool and the signature CHI spa. In addition to this, the hotel offers comprehensive meeting and event facilities with six flexible function rooms with a pre-function area covering a total space of 1,256 square metres. It also has a dedicated events team to assist in planning events from beginning to end with style and attention to detail. For conferences of up to 900 guests in theatre-style seating, the hotel’s Grand Ballroom is probably the largest meeting destination among premium hotels in the city.
DESIGN
The one word that comes to mind for Shangri-La is understated elegance that is reflected through the design of the hotel. Keen to reference the Garden City in its interior, the hotel embellishes tiles, carpets and wood carved screens with abstract floral silhouettes. Other stylised design elements in the public spaces include marble from Italy, Turkey and China; textiles originating from the UK and Asia; as well as a glass elevator to shuttle guests to the function areas. In the Lobby Lounge, a sandstone wall installation sourced from Rajasthan measures four metres by nine metres and depicts a gold-stained palm leaf pattern.
The stylised design continues the local language in all the areas of the hotel, giving the guests – both in-house and otherwise a unique sensory experience.
TEAM
Under the leadership of general manager Jens Corder, the young team of Shangri-La, Bengaluru is an enthusiastic lot who aim to cater to the comfort of the guests. With an average age of less than 30 years, the emphasis has been on training them in the values that the brand holds dear. Training is Shangri-La’s top priority and significant resources are allocated annually to ensure employees have the skills and knowledge to be the best in their fields. This has earned the group international awards and recognition from guests, prestigious magazines as well as industry partners and made Shangri-La one of the preferred hotel employers, with around 42,000 people serving guests with the philosophy “hospitality from the heart.”
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, currently owns and/or manages more than 90 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 38,000. “Our diverse portfolio of accommodation, dining destinations and meeting space means we are perfectly positioned to set new standards and provide an elite urban lifestyle for our guests from the community and all over the world,” said Jens Corder when opening the doors of Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru to the city and the world. A true marriage of the global hospitality brand with the local ethos and culture, this newest addition to Bengaluru’s hospitality chart has the right mix to ensure success.
