Newly opened in South India’s capital state of Karnataka, Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru offers a dynamic array of restaurants and bars and arresting public and meeting spaces. The 397-room Shangri-La – sited on nearly two acres of land between the central business district and residential suburb – will deliver a unique blend of the group’s signature service of ‘hospitality from the heart’ and legendary Indian hospitality at one of Bengaluru’s premier addresses overlooking Bangalore Palace and Cubbon Park.
Located 30 minutes from the international airport, Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru stands 19-storeys tall in a leafy blue ribbon suburb on Palace Road. Reminiscent of a bygone regal era, the nine-metre high lobby showcases nine impressive cylindrical chandeliers, each weighing shy of half a tonne, while imposing marble columns highlighted by wall sconces call attention to intricate Indian motifs. Even the doorman in his jewel-toned sherwani (long coat) and brocade headdress and the guest relations officer in an embroidered sari, reveal colours and textures specific to local artisans.
Keen to reference the Garden City in its interior, the hotel embellishes tiles, carpets and wood carved screens with abstract floral silhouettes. Other stylish hints in the public spaces include marble from Italy, Turkey and China; textiles originating from the United Kingdom and Asia; as well as a glass elevator to shuttle guests to the function areas. In the Lobby Lounge, a sandstone wall installation sourced in Rajasthan measures four metres by nine metres and depicts a gold-stained palm leaf pattern.
“Shangri-La’s expansion on the Indian subcontinent marks an exciting third quarter for the group. We are excited to reveal a new luxury landmark in Bengaluru that adds to our international presence and will welcome our loyal and new guests for business or leisure,” said President and CEO Greg Dogan.
Elevated at over 900 metres above sea level, Bengaluru is known as the hub of India’s technological developments and is just as acclaimed for its historical sites – dating to when noble Indian dynasties and the British governed – that rise majestically above the city’s hallmark green spaces.
High above the city’s skyline, the guestrooms present a soothing retreat in beige. Starting from 41 square metres, each room is accented by a tufted leather headboard and plush patterned carpeting. Complimentary and wireless Internet access allows guests to use their personal electronics at the executive desk or on the window-side sofa. Outfitted in locally sourced New Gold Vein marble, the bathrooms are spacious and built-in with a wardrobe, bathtub, separate walk-in rain shower and antique bronze mirrors.
The hotel’s 30 suites – awash in colours of gold, plum and green – range from 98 to 274 square metres, and include three Governor Suites and the palatial Shangri-La Suite; guests can marvel at the panoramic views and enjoy full access to the Horizon Club Lounge. Also catering for Horizon Club guests, the lounge is a sophisticated space providing breakfast, tea, evening cocktails and the services of a concierge team.
Making its mark on Bengaluru’s social scene are the hotel’s eight wining and dining venues offering spectacular settings, and indoor and outdoor seating to maximise the unobstructed vistas.
Shang Palace, Shangri-La’s signature Chinese restaurant, led by Chef Lin Lin Yang will be the place to entertain over Cantonese dim sum, barbeque specialities, the flavours of Sichuan, Beijing and north-east China, as well as regional vegetarian dishes. Surrounded by greenery, guests can entertain in the elegant setting decorated with gold and silver leaf, pearls, rock crystals and marble, or in one of two private rooms.
b Cafe, the all-day dining restaurant on the lobby level, features interactive kitchens preparing international and local fare for its buffet and an à la carte menu. Upholstered seating and crown moulding in deep red accent the vibrant space, while black screens add contrast to make a design statement. Adjoining the restaurant is b Cafe Pastry – an enticing alcove for eat-in or take-away sweets and savouries.
Closely following the opening, three more restaurants will open at Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru. They include Caprese – a stylish Mediterranean restaurant on level 18, serving seafood, traditional Italian dishes, Middle Eastern mezze platters and Spanish tapasamong terracotta topiary pots and wood finishes. On the same level, diners can feast on cuisines from the north and south of India at Ssaffron, while admiring the Indian restaurant’s ornate carvings and metallic sandstone sculptures. For an alternative sky-high dining experience, Yataii combines the best of traditional and modern Japanese food to deliver fresh sushi and sashimi, and teppanyaki for dinner.
Destined to be the most glamourous and distinctive bar on the top of Bengaluru is Hype, scheduled to open before year-end. Set against the city’s backdrop on the hotel’s rooftop, on level 19, a chic indoor and outdoor lounge offers plenty of space to indulge in world-class whiskeys or handcrafted cocktails by expert bartenders. Under the open skyline and accompanied to the energetic tunes spun by guest DJs, guests can nibble their way through a tapas menu or sip on custom zodiac cocktails.
CHI, The Spa is a serene and luxurious retreat in the sky. Greeting guests at the level three entrance is a brass sculpture fashioned to resemble a blooming flower and flaming sun. In harmony with the warmness of the art piece, the spa is decked with dark timber floors. Managed by therapists to guide guests on a journey of wellbeing, a fusion of chi techniques and Ayurveda treatments namely Udhwartana, Shirodhara, Pinda and Sweda may be experienced in one of nine treatment rooms, including VIP couple suites and a dedicated Ayurveda room.
Adjacent to CHI, The Spa is the health club, facing the outdoor and kid’s swimming pools. The 24-hour gym offers state-of-the-art equipment and time-deprived executives the option to work or hold conference calls during a training session – made possible through an Android interface system. Other hotel wellness facilities include a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, weekly yoga sessions and the Run Well programme – a running tour of nearby Bangalore Palace or Cubbon Park, accompanied by a health club associate.
Spread over two levels are the hotel’s function rooms. The Grand Ballroom, with its own pre-function area and a ceiling height of 9.5 metres, covers 739 square metres and is one of the largest meeting spaces in the city. The flora-inspired venue holds up to 900 guests for weddings and grand events, and is supported by five additional and versatile function rooms on level two.
“Our diverse portfolio of accommodation, dining destinations and meeting space means we are perfectly positioned to set new standards and provide an elite urban lifestyle for our guests from the community and all over the world.”said Jens Corder, general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru.
