Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, announces that the five-star Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai, one of the most highly regarded deluxe properties in China, has completed its US$138 million expansion programme, unveiling a 36-floor new glass tower featuring 375 rooms and suites. The new structure also comprises a range of trend-setting designer restaurants and bars, a grand ballroom, CHI Spa, a Health Club and glassed-in outdoor swimming pool. With the opening of Tower 2, Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai, with a total room inventory of 981, has become the largest deluxe hotel in Shanghai and the largest of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' 48 properties.

More than 600 guests from around the world, including top government officials from the Shanghai municipal government, gathered in the hotel's China Ballroom to celebrate this grand occasion on 26 September.

"We truly appreciate the significant contribution the hotel has made to Pudong's development since its 1998 opening," said Mr. Du Jiahao, party secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Pudong District. "With the opening of Tower 2, I am sure Pudong Shangri-La will attain new levels of excellence."

The new tower was designed by New York-based architect Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF). Its Premier rooms, the largest in Shanghai, offer a minimum floor space of 54 square meters (581 square feet) and views of the historical Bund or Pudong's cityscape. All rooms offer the full array of Shangri-La amenities, which includes WIFI, broadband, data ports and IDD, satellite TV, in-room facsimile and 24-hour room service.

Making its China debut is CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, featuring some of the largest and most luxurious private spa suites in the city, which provide a "spa within a spa" atmosphere. A sanctuary of tranquility inspired by the legend of "Shangri-La," CHI offers a range of specialized body, water, massage and facial therapies based on the ancient healing traditions, philosophies and rituals of China and the Himalayas.

Adding a new dimension to the Pudong and Shanghai dining and entertainment scene are the Pudong Shangri-La's eight additional cutting-edge restaurants, bars and lounges, showcasing the design style of international award-winning creative mavericks like Bilkey Llinas Design, Super Potato and Adam D. Tihany.

Making a grand entrance to the Shanghai restaurant scene in mid-October will be the hotel's signature restaurant and bar – Jade on 36. Guests will appreciate the architecture and design by award-winning Adam D. Tihany and the panoramic views of Shanghai and the famous Bund from Level 36. Celebrated Chef de Cuisine Paul Pairet will showcase his "cuisine de voyage" - culled from extensive international culinary experience and fuelled with a passion for cutting-edge technique.

Taking pride of place is the hotel's second ballroom - the China Ballroom - which is Shanghai's largest, with a capacity of up to 1700 guests for receptions. In addition to the existing Grand Ballroom and 10 meeting rooms of various sizes in Tower 1, the hotel offers a total of 6,500 square meters (70,000 square feet) of versatile indoor and outdoor event space.

To complement the new level of facilities and services, a brand new Rolls-Royce Phantom and two Mercedes E350 stretch limousines have been added to its fleet of limousines.

"With the opening of our new tower, the Pudong Shangri-La is now elevated to a class of its own and is set to become 'the destination' in the city," said Philippe Caretti, vice president and general manager of the Pudong Shangri-La. "It will reinforce our position as one of the leading hotels in Shanghai, if not China, and allows us to better cater to the increasing demand for luxury accommodation, innovative restaurants and bars, and comprehensive meeting facilities."

"The spectrum of new facilities and services presented by the addition of Tower 2 will greatly strengthen the hotel's competitive advantage in its key market segments, especially individual business travel, conferences and leisure travel," said Kent Zhu, vice president, sales and marketing.

About Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts | Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently manages 48 hotels under Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 21,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates. The group has over 30 projects under development in Canada, mainland China, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at .

Elizabeth DeMotte
Vice President - Public Relations
(852) 2599 3323
Shangri-La