The St. Regis Lhasa Resort

The hotel itself feels like a place to explore, with Tibetan heritage, architecture, and culture woven throughout its huge grounds. I could happily have wandered around there instead of heading into the city. It's a stunning sanctuary and an attraction in its own right, and close to the main points of interest too. My suite was room 1105, with a lovely view of the water tank and mountains. It was spacious, the bed was comfortable, and the cooler kept the temperature just right. The bathroom had a walk-in shower and a stylish, romantic bathtub, plus REMEDE spa-quality toiletries. The 6th-floor TuBo Lounge was a nice spot for a sunset drink, with spectacular views of Potala Palace and the mountains. Breakfast at SOCIAL covered a mind-blowing range of local and international food, including Tibetan, Chinese, and Western choices. The staff were friendly, smiling, and attentive to my needs. They made us feel pampered and looked after. A special shout-out to the lovely team at the 6th-floor bar. There isn't a gym or fitness center. There is an indoor heated pool in the spa complex, though it's fully enclosed with no windows or views, so it wasn't a fun place to swim. The free high-speed Wi-Fi worked well around the property. The big plasma TV had dozens of sports, news, music, movie, and entertainment channels in several languages.

The rooms are spacious, and the staff can speak English. Breakfast was tasty, with European, Chinese, and regional dishes.

The hotel was clean and nice, and the staff were helpful. They provided oxygen and an air diffuser in the room. From there, you can see Potala Palace, which served as the Dalai Lamas' residence and administrative center from 1649 to 1959. It has been a museum since 1959 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The coffee machine could use an upgrade, and a wider tea selection would be great.

At the hotel's breakfast buffet, Ruth made the meal feel personal and welcoming. She remembered my preference for hazelnut coffee and offered it when I came back, which made the visit especially memorable. She also pays attention to how guests are doing and checks that they're comfortable. Her thoughtful service and knack for remembering individual preferences really add to the experience.