Shangri-La Lhasa

The fifth-floor view of the palace was lovely, and the lobby was nicely decorated for Tibetan New Year. Breakfast had Chinese and Western choices, a full bakery section, and a local station with milk tea, barley, and soup. I especially liked that local selection. It’s a bit of a walk to downtown, though easy to get a didi. The elevator smell was really bad, but fortunately our room didn’t smell. The wooden doors showed some wear, and we found a cigarette butt under the couch, though the room was otherwise clean. We used the in-room oxygen machine one day. There are also vending machines selling oxygen tanks and a medical team on staff around the clock. Overall, we had a good time at Shanghai La in Lhasa.

Shangri-La Lhasa is a beautiful hotel with stunning views and top-notch amenities. Mr. Copper at the front desk was incredibly helpful and polite, and made sure every detail of our stay was just right. Highly recommend it if you’re looking for luxury and great service in Tibet.

We had breakfast included, with buffet service the next morning. There was a chance to try local butter, tea, and sweet tea, and I preferred the sweet tea. Breakfast also had Chinese appetizers and local dishes for adventurous eaters, plus Western options, plenty of breads and cakes, made-to-order omelets, and a DIY Chinese soup noodle bar. The rooms are spacious and have an oxygen humidifier that can help with breathing at night. There’s also a panic button in both the room and washroom, in case a severe altitude reaction means you need immediate help. The lobby and surrounding area are quite clean. The hotel has a spa, a ballroom for events, and an oxygen lounge where you can relax and get extra oxygen to help acclimatize.

It’s downtown, so getting around by Didi was easy. The room was comfortable and free of cigarette smells, unlike many places I’d stayed in Lingzhi or Shigatse. It came with an oxygen generator and humidifier, both helpful for a stay in Lhasa. The lobby is grand and the decor is beautiful. Breakfast was only average. During my three days there, the noodle station overcooked every bowl I ordered.