The Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo celebrates its grand opening on 22 April 2010, marking the completion of all facilities at the hotel. The hotel is the newest international luxury brand hotel in the city, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ 28th property in mainland China and sixth hotel in the Yangtze River Delta region.

In the first nine months of operation, the five-star hotel has welcomed over 60,000 travellers to Ningbo and has become a centre of social life in the city. To date, over 250,000 guests have dined in the hotel’s restaurants, over 350 events have been hosted in the hotel’s meeting facilities, and over 19,000 guests have attended weddings at the hotel. Shangri-La was named the Best Newly Open Hotel of China at the 2009 Starlight Awards. And the hotel will celebrate more notable achievements this year with the appointment of Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo as the official host venue for the EXPO 2010 Shanghai China theme forum in the city.

“I would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to all our valued guests for their patronage that makes our business successful. We endeavour to offer the best of Ningbo through our legendary hospitality, facilities, cuisine and unrivalled service. We are glad to celebrate the grand opening of Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo today,” said Lim Boon Kwee, general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo.

Ningbo is a two-hour drive from Shanghai via the Hangzhou Bay Bridge and a two-hour flight from Hong Kong. The 563-room Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo is a 20-minute drive from the airport and within walking distance of Ningbo’s largest shopping area, Tianyi Square, and major tourist attractions. Located in the heart of the central business district, the hotel is at the confluence of the Fenghua, Yuyao and Yong rivers.

Ningbo’s status as a major international port stretches back to the Tang Dynasty, and the city remains an important trading centre. Labelled by the government as one of the top 10 cities for conferences and exhibitions, Ningbo is a major exporter of consumer and electrical products, textiles, food and industrial tools.

With luxury and technology in mind, the guestrooms at Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo feature wireless Internet access as well as integrated audio-visual equipment. Guests can interface personal electronic devices such as MP3 players, iPods and digital cameras in their rooms—the first hotel in Ningbo to offer such technology. Guestrooms measure from 45 square metres upwards, while suites range in size from 90 to 225 square metres. The Horizon Club rooms and suites occupy floors 28 to 34 and the exclusive two-storey Horizon Club Lounge on the 28th floor has floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a panoramic view of the city of Ningbo.

The hotel also provides comprehensive event solutions with 5,000 square metres of meeting and banqueting space. Facilities include: a 2,000-square-metre, column-free grand ballroom with a ceiling height of eight metres, the largest of its kind in Zhejiang province; a junior ballroom; and a variety of multifunction rooms suited for any event. In addition, the hotel offers a purpose-built VIP interview room, the first of its kind in the city.

Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo’s health club includes a 25-metre swimming pool, a fully equipped gym and two tennis courts. A spacious 1,000-square-metre spa with nine private treatment rooms further complements the hotel’s leisure facilities.

Dining experiences at the hotel include 13 private dining rooms at the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant, Shang Palace, which serves Ningbonese and Cantonese cuisine in a contemporary and elegant setting. Yi Cafe, showcasing open kitchens and engaging performances by chefs at live cooking stations, provides all-day dining. The Lobster Bar and Grill features nightly live performances and cocktails, while the Lobby Lounge offers a wide selection of tea and light snacks.

Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo celebrates its grand opening by offering special rates starting from RMB888 per night single or double occupancy. Valid until 30 June 2010, the grand opening rate offer includes complimentary daily breakfast. For further information and reservations, please call (86 574) 8799 8808 or email [email protected] .