Shangri-La meets Europe

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has signed a long-term lease agreement with BAI Bauträger Austria Immobilien GmbH, the development, and management arm of the Immobilien Holding Group, for the Shangri-La Hotel, Vienna, opening in late 2009.

The 207-room Shangri-La Hotel, Vienna will be located in the former Erste Bank headquarters on the Schubertring in the city’s 1st district (Bezirk). BAI purchased the real estate with four historic buildings in late 2005 with the aim of developing a five-star hotel. The site comprises an entire city block with excellent views, situated directly on the grand 19th-century boulevard Ringstraße with its characteristic historical and art nouveau architecture and the green oasis of Beethovenplatz.

Conceptualized as a top Vienna deluxe hotel, the project aims to blend the historical and partially protected heritage of the buildings with a modern spatial environment and state-of-the-art technical amenities. While injecting a crisp charm and contemporary soul into the hotel, the project will anticipate the needs of today’s business and leisure travelers alike, who appreciate awareness of luxury living within the contemporary Viennese context.

Spacious accommodation will include guestrooms averaging 45 square meters and three presidential suites to accommodate visits by heads of state, high-ranking representatives of foreign governments and organizations, as well as CEOs and high-level corporate guests. Dining options will include a specialty, fine-dining restaurant and bar, both with street access at Schubertring, and a lobby lounge for breakfast and light fare during the day. The highlight of the hotel’s technologically advanced conference and function facilities will be a ballroom crowned with a glass dome.

CHI, The Spa, will introduce Shangri-La’s exotic, signature spa concept to the city. Inspired by the legend of Shangri-La in the novel Lost Horizon, CHI offers treatments based on ancient Chinese and Himalayan healing rituals and traditions. Another first will be the health club’s indoor swimming pool – the largest of any Vienna deluxe hotel.

The Shangri-La Hotel, Vienna will complement the group’s two upcoming European properties opening in Paris in 2009 and London in 2011, with more European gateway city hotels soon to be announced.