"Shangri-La" once came from the Tibetan word "Paradise", originally a fictional paradise, and in 1971, the first Shangri-La hotel was named after the Malaysian Chinese businessman Kwok Henian, known as the "Asian Sugar King". Today, Shangri-La is Asia's largest luxury hotel brand.
Opened in 1999, Shangri-La Hotel, Wuhan is the five-star hotel with the longest history in Wuhan. It has 442 guest rooms and suites, which are divided into two levels, Deluxe and Horizon Club, with the latter providing value-added services such as meals and ironing and shoe-shine services. These rooms are decorated in a modern design style, and the overall atmosphere is luxurious, but because the hotel has been in business for many years, some of the equipment seems to be slightly old, which is also the disadvantage compared to other hotels.
For such a large five-star hotel, Shangri-La Wuhan can sometimes be overwhelmed by its two restaurants. Heung Yuen Cafe features an open kitchen where guests can watch the chefs cook up close and enjoy their meals on the street-facing terrace. Its menu includes common Western dishes such as steak, pasta, and desserts, as well as Southeast Asian flavors such as Thai curry and Thai fried rice. Shang Palace, on the other hand, is a formal dining restaurant with a focus on Cantonese and fine local cuisine, as well as 8 private dining rooms of different sizes for small and medium-sized gatherings. In addition to the two restaurants, the Lobby Lounge is another option for meeting and dining.
Shangri-La Hotel, Wuhan caters to most meeting and banquet needs, with 14 function rooms equipped with broadband and wireless infrastructure, as well as satellite connectivity and simultaneous interpretation. Its 1,600-square-meter pillarless banquet hall can accommodate up to 1,800 people.
In terms of leisure facilities, Shangri-La Wuhan is adequately equipped, with outdoor tennis courts and saunas in addition to the usual gymnasiums and indoor swimming pools.
Shangri-La Wuhan's service is modest, with no bright spots, but it is meticulous and thoughtful, with staff taking the initiative to greet guests when they get off the bus, as well as supporting elderly guests.
