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Published on December 29, 2007

Hong Kong's sky darkened fast upon our arrival. It was the end of autumn and the comfortable but cool breeze prompted us to don fashionable jackets and leather boots. Our destination was the Island Shangri-La, a famous five-star establishment known for excellent services. And artistic touches, such as 770 chandeliers of them hanging around every corner.

Located at the top of Pacific Place in the Central area of Hong Kong, guestrooms at this hotel start on high floors with better views from all sides. We checked in at an Executive Harbour View room on 54th floor. The building's eye-shaped design eradicates dead ends, which are ominous in feng shui. The soaring structure gives the guests more choices of views from Hong Kong's famous harbour, the city or a scenic mountain range.

Our room was spacious, a generous act considered that this hotel is fairly new by Hong Kong terms - it opened in 1991. Island Shangri-La's interior design presents a unique mixture of luxurious oriental touches and modern Western facilities.

Highlighted by a beautiful chandelier, our room brimmed with accessories, such as a fine Chinese silk bed panel, Chinese paintings, Chinese-style black and gold mahogany cabinets, an antique Chinese-style coffee table, desk, a multi-functional fax, printer and copier machine and a socket for high speed broad brand Internet, a large flat-screen TV, a DVD player, an Ipod docking station with speakers, and another smaller LCD TV at the end of the bathtub. We also enjoyed their in-room coffee-tea maker and bedside control panel for lighting and curtain.

The executive rooms, occupied on floors 49 to 55, truly pamper guests, in line with the concept of "Shangri-La", or utopia. Guests are entitled to partake of the free soft drinks, juices and beers from the mini bar, unlimited Internet access, free pressing for your clothes, electronic newspapers, fruit basket, and evening turndown. Other benefits include late checkout at 6pm, free airport limousine transfers, and free local calls.

If this is not a paradise, what is?

The Island Shangri-La's Chinese landscape painting "The Great Motherland of China", is not to be missed! Listed by Guinness World Records as the world's largest silk painting, it totally covers the hotel's 16-storey atrium and the best way to get a full glimpse of the whole thing is by gliding on the hotel's transparent elevators.

Shangri-La's Cantonese restaurant Shang Palace is very popular, and even has its fans in Bangkok. And the Shangri-La's restaurant Summer Palace is also a great spot for grabbing a delicious dim sum lunch. But we decided to indulge ourselves with a French cuisine at Petrus restaurant on the 56th floor. Led by Frederic Chabbert, the elegant, romantic restaurant is popular among local connoisseurs - especially officers of the nearby Supreme Court. Petrus offers delicious set and a la carte lunches (from HK$338 [Bt1,300] to 388 per person) along with daily breakfast for those looking for a serene beginning of a busy day.

Tangible things aside, the hotel impressed us with their outstanding services. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with a Thai reception. We learnt that they keep an international team to make the guests from around the world feel instantly at home. It was such a nice little touch, which along with their impeccable services throughout our four-day stay, really made our experience at this hotel much more meaningful.

Like at the end of the film "Lost Horizon", as Lord Gainsford gives a toast and says "Here's my hope that Robert Conway will find his Shangri-La. Here's my hope that we all find our Shangri-La."

I have found mine.

 

Island Shangri-La Hotel at a glance

High points: Fabulous services with energetic and friendly staff. Their location is hard to beat; the hotel is steps away from the famous Hong Kong Park, MTR, Central highlights, the Peak Tram, and ferry piers.

Low point: The glass elevators connecting to Pacific Place by can be crowded during peak hours. An option is the outdoor escalator that also leads to the mall and MTR.

Find it: Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong

Pay for it: From HK$4,350 to $5,450 for a Superior room, $4,950 to $6,050

for Deluxe City View room and $5,900 to and 7,000 for an Executive

Harbour View room.

Phone it: (852) 2877 3838

Browse it: www.shangri-la.com

Sirin P Wongpanit

Special to The Nation