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LIVING IT UP:
Shangri-La Hotel,
Chiang Mai

Across Asia and beyond, the Shangri-la chain of hotels is synonymous with five star luxury accommodations. With its famous name suggestive of a hidden paradise, one of Chiang Mai's latest superior hotels has a wealth of veiled luxuries and facilities waiting to be discovered. With 281 finely-appointed rooms and suites located on Chang Klan Road, it is also within easy walking distance of the city's famous Night Bazaar.

The style and design of the hotel is inspired by its Northern Thailand location. The traditional style of Lanna architecture and design has been reinterpreted with a modern influence by a dedicated team of architects, interior designers and artists. Guest rooms reflect contemporary Northern Thai design and decor with the emphasis on comfort; bedrooms are cozy with plenty of throw pillows, comfortable beds and mood lighting and the premier guest rooms feature daybeds, which are ideal for quiet moments of relaxation. Special touches such as local celadon tea sets, Thai silk pillows and artwork give guest rooms and suites a distinctive Chiang Mai personality and charm.

The three unique suite rooms offer some of the largest and most luxurious accommodations in the city. All are exquisitely appointed with separate lounge area, kitchenette and dining space, two toilets, twin TV and DVD players in lounge and bedroom, office space and equipment, and a stunning bathroom with a separate spa bath and rain shower. All are on the upper floors of the hotel, providing uninterrupted views of the gardens and the pool.

The Aranda Suite is a 129m² luxurious three-bay, one-bedroom suite ideal for guests who require privacy. Splashes of floral-themed artworks and freshly arranged bouquets of one of Northern Thailand's famous flowers, the Aranda, coupled with rich, authentic Thai interiors and furnishings, make this suite the ideal choice for honeymooners, families and other discerning travelers.

The Lotus Suite is a 172m² four-bay specialty suite, with indigenous Thai materials and craftsmanship. Luxurious yet homely, grand yet comfortable, this suite offers a private spa area, and similar facilities to the Presidential suite but on a smaller scale.

The Presidential Suite is an enormous 215m² five-bay suite with majestic high ceilings and chandeliers; this is an elegant, "Lanna Renaissance" retreat on the top floor of the hotel with luxurious furnishings, and is the hotel's premium room.

All three suites can accommodate those looking for somewhere truly exceptional and opulent whilst having first class dining, spa and other health and leisure facilities on their doorstep.

Kad Kafe, an all-day dining restaurant, is one of the four dining choices at the hotel featuring international specialties including Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and European. Every Sunday to Friday features "live market culinary theatre" for dinner and weekday business lunches, and on Sundays there is the increasingly popular Dip and Dine brunch comprising of live cooking stations, sushi and sashimi, carving station and delectable deserts, all of which can be followed by a dip in the beautiful swimming pool.

Available only on Saturday nights is their newest "JEEN" Chinese buffet station which has been specially added to the daily extensive international menu. The newly-provided Chinese station offers well-selected Cantonese style dishes and dim sum, created by a chef who has over 20 years' experience in Chinese culinary arts.

The Lobby Lounge just outside Kad Kafe features a light dining menu, cocktails and afternoon tea, whilst the WoW Pool Bar offers up refreshing cocktails and mocktails as well as Thai and international snacks to enjoy whilst relaxing at the poolside.

Opened on the 17^th October, Silapa Thai Lounge & Bar offers an impressively extensive cocktail menu served by entertaining and interactive bartenders with nightly DJ entertainment who spin the latest sounds.

Accompanied by a large selection of innovatively-presented "Thaipas", this lounge experience is truly unique with the only "Chef's Table" in Chiang Mai set next to a window of the kitchen. Early evening starts with light music enabling guests the chance to mingle and chat, but from 10pm the ambience is transformed to that of a chic nightclub.

To balance the effects of drinks and dinner there are many opportunities for fitness, rejuvenation and relaxation. In addition to a free-form outdoor pool, tennis courts and a fully-equipped Fitness Centre with classes, CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La offers large private spa suites, with a diverse menu of treatments based on traditional Asian healing principles.

Nestled within a beautifully landscaped and tranquil area are nine spacious Thai styled "spa within a spa" villas each with herbal steam rooms, rain showers, day beds and outdoor spa baths for two. A yoga pavilion and a breathtaking structure called the Sanctum is the focal point for CHI, The Spa's signature treatments, which feature Chinese and Himalayan therapies.

Signature therapies are based on the traditional Five Elements Theory, in which Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth are in balance to harmonize with the positive yang and negative yin energy within the body.

Following a simple online questionnaire to discover your personal element sign, therapists customize the spa experience to your specific tastes and preferences. Recommended are the Lanna Blend Massage exclusively designed for Chiang Mai, and the Himalayan Healing Stone Massage inspired by the healing rituals of Lake Kokonar in Tibet, an ancient massage technique using warm stones heated in oil to ground the body and restore vitality. Guests of the hotel and from outside are urged to make contact with CHI, which has some of finest facilities in Chiang Mai.

Text: Finley B. Luge
Images: Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel