Starwood has opened The St. Regis Lhasa Resort in Tibet. Standing on the “Roof of the World” at 12,000 feet above sea level it boasts awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas and the Lhasa Valley from each of the 162 guest rooms, suites and villas which feature distinctive architectural details and décor that entwine modern luxury with traditional Tibetan elements.

The resort offers the signature St. Regis Butler Service and features three restaurants to please any epicurean taste, a signature tea room, wine bar and an expansive 11,700 square foot Iridium Spa with an ornate gold-tiled pool and Meditation Garden for yoga, Pilates or meditation.

“Lhasa is one of the most intriguing and beautiful cities in the world,” said Magdy Anis, General Manager of The St. Regis Lhasa Resort. “We are honored to be opening Tibet’s first luxury resort, offering global St. Regis guests the opportunity to experience Tibet’s mysterious traditions and stunning beauty while enjoying St. Regis signature amenities and services.”

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort boasts 150 guest rooms and 12 spacious villas and suites, including the Presidential Suite. The resort has been designed from the ground up with sustainable features including solar panels, locally-sourced produce and herbs for the resort’s restaurants and an underground water recycling system. Guest accommodations feature custom-designed furniture and spacious marble bathrooms in addition to amenities such as high-speed internet and plasma televisions in room.

St. Regis will also premiere its newest spa brand, the Iridium Spa, at the St. Regis Lhasa Resort. Poised to be one of the world’s highest luxury spas. Iridium Spa allows guests to renew and refresh mind, body and spirit with a completely customized experience including traditional Tibetan herbal treatments and aromatherapy services using locally cultivated herbs and plants such as cypress and azalea leaves. A gold-tiled heated swimming pool and Meditation Garden for yoga, Pilates or meditation are also available to guests.

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort offers an array of epicurean taste and experiences in a variety of culturally designed settings. Guests can enjoy convenient, all-day dining at the resort’s signature restaurant, Social, featuring with a wide selection of international cuisine or dine at Si Zi Kang, featuring Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine. For Cantonese and Sichuanese cuisine, guests are invited to Yan Ting with six private dining rooms and a diverse menu.

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is also features Decanter by Haut-Brisson, one of the first wine bars in the region serving over 140 labels of wine, liquors and aged cigars. The Tea Room will offer guests different blends of local and imported teas, as well as vintage teas aged from 10-25 years.

Lhasa, christened “Place of the Gods” by ancient Tibetans, is the spiritual and political center of Tibet. With its location in the ancient Barkhor area, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is close to the city’s most important cultural landmarks allowing guests to explore all of the city’s treasures.

The resort is only a short walk from the Jokhang Temple or guests can rent a hybrid vehicle from the hotel for a short drive to the stunning Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulinka and the Drepung Monastery. Other scenic Himalayan destinations such as the Heavenly Lake Namtso and Yandra Yumtso Lake also surround the St. Regis Lhasa Resort.