Competition in the luxury hotel sector became a lot more intense on Monday morning when the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo officially opened its doors for business. It is Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ first hotel in Japan. Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo occupies the top 11 floors of Marunouchi Trust Tower Main, a 37-floor, mixed-use building adjacent to Tokyo Station, and offers views of Marunouchi to the east and Tokyo Bay to the west.

The 202-room hotel contains two restaurants – Piacere, a signature Italian restaurant, and Nadaman, an authentic Japanese restaurant – as well as the Lobby Lounge offering afternoon tea and live entertainment. CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, the group’s own spa brand developed from ancient Chinese and Himalayan healing therapies, also makes its Japanese debut.

The hotel features meeting rooms and banquet facilities, wedding facilities complete with a chapel, a health club, an indoor swimming pool and the Horizon Club lounge, which offers an elevated level of service. Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo is also home to over 2,000 pieces of artwork and more than 50 distinct chandeliers handmade in the Czech Republic by Lasvit, a world-renowned light design and manufacturing company. In homage to the city of Tokyo, glass carved into the shape of ginkgo leaves – the symbol of Tokyo – decorates various chandeliers throughout the hotel. In addition, a 10-metre long chandelier illuminates a grand staircase connecting Levels 27, 28 and 29.

“Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has searched for the perfect venue and partner in Japan for a long time. The Japanese market is an essential market for us as we expand internationally. Today, I am delighted to say we now have a hotel in Tokyo, one of Asia’s and the world’s key capitals, and that we will be able to offer our guests in Japan traditional Shangri-La hospitality,” said Madhu Rao, Managing Director and CEO of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

In celebration of its opening, the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo has launched a “Discover Shangri-La” promotion. Until 12 April 2009, guests can experience Shangri-La’s legendary hospitality in a Deluxe room from JPY110,000 per night (tax and service charge excluded), including breakfast and an opening commemorative gift, single or double occupancy, subject to availability.  Robbe & Berking, one of the world’s leading and most exclusive silver manufacturers, created the premium, commemorative gift, which is not on sale commercially in Japan. Each item carries a serial number and is limited to the first 200 packages sold. Items are limited to one per guest with a maximum of two gifts per room.

source: Asia Travel Tips