Shangri-La Debuts in Tokyo
TOKYO, Japan, September 3, 2006. Shangri-La has signed a lease agreement with Mori Trust Co. Ltd. to equip and manage the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo, marking the group's Japanese debut.
Scheduled to open by 1 March 2009, the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo will be located in the Marunouchi district, beside the Tokyo Station, the capital's only station with connections throughout Japan, including the world-famous bullet train - 'Shinkansen'. The Imperial Palace and the Nihonbashi area are just a 10-minute walk away. The hotel's prime location is expected to attract both local guests and international business and leisure travellers.
The Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo will occupy the top 11 floors of the 37-storey Marunouchi Trust Tower Main Building, currently under construction by the TODA Construction Group Tokyo.
The hotel's 204 guestrooms will be an average of 50 square metres in size and include 20 Junior Suites, three Executive Suites and one top floor Presidential Suite. The lower floors of the building will house offices and retail outlets.
Guests arrive by dedicated ground level lifts and will be greeted at the 28th floor lobby with dramatic views of the Marunouchi area, as well as Tokyo Bay to the East, through a backdrop of eight-metre high, floor-to-ceiling windows.
Similar cityscapes will be enjoyed by those relaxing with refreshments in the lobby lounge. Shangri-La's signature spa brand - CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La - will make its Japanese debut at the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo. Designed to create a sanctuary of tranquillity inspired by the legend of "Shangri-La," CHI will introduce the concept of treatments based on ancient Chinese and Himalayan healing therapies.
Meeting and banquet space will include 400 square metres of grand ballroom and function areas, as well as a chapel for weddings, renewal of vows and blessing ceremonies. The Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo will provide an array of dining experiences, including a glass-ceilinged all-day dining restaurant on the 28th floor and a specialty restaurant on the 29th floor.
"Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo plays a key role in our group's international expansion," said Giovanni Angelini, chief executive officer and managing director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. Shangri-La properties have long been favourites of many Japanese business and leisure travellers. We are grateful that, with the support of Mori Trust, we are able to introduce our Shangri-La style of hospitality to Japan and provide a new, exciting luxury hotel experience for our loyal guests, wherever they are."