Since opening in 1991, the elegant Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong has stood tall over Hong Kong, offering breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour, Victoria Peak and the surrounding skyline. But even beyond the panoramic vistas, this hotel has much to offer: a prime location, refined Asian-inspired décor and exceptional hospitality that immediately makes you feel at ease.
Following an extensive multi-year renovation, there are now more reasons to love this property. The hotel has transformed from a business-centric address into a world-class destination for leisure, wellness and family adventures. The revitalization culminated this year with the debut of the Shangri-La Suite — a glamorous presidential palace brimming with bold colors and dramatic flair.
Whether balancing chakras at Yun Wellness or indulging in make-believe within an enchanting Family Suite, it’s easy to fall for the thoughtful details woven into the hotel’s new spaces. Without further ado, here are a few reasons why Island Shangri-La is better than ever.
The Recently Renovated Rooms
Stretching 56 floors, the hotel’s 544 rooms and suites provide sweeping panoramas of the captivating cityscape. Depending on the unit, you can gaze across Victoria Harbour to the north or bask in the tranquility of the mountains to the south.
Many accommodations have been recently renovated, replacing dark wood décor with a luminous palette of soothing greens and creams. Starting at 446 square feet, the Grand Premier Peak View Rooms feature a contemporary living area with a plush armchair or chaise lounge, walk-through closets and spacious modern bathrooms.
For those looking to indulge, the bold Shangri-La Suite — akin to the hotel’s Presidential Suite — is a 2,390-square-foot oasis in the clouds. The opulent residence, which marks the pinnacle of the hotel’s multi-year transformation, is a sight to behold. Lavishly decorated with Asian-inspired touches (see: hand-blown crystal chandeliers, hand-painted Chinese murals, velvet furniture and a marble dining table for 10), the suite also features a stunning primary bathroom with a marble tub overlooking the harbor.
A Whimsical New Family Floor
Here’s something you don’t often see at hotels: an entire floor devoted to families. Island Shangri-La recently unveiled 21 one- to three-bedroom family suites thoughtfully designed to make traveling with kids much more fun. Little adventurers will be enchanted by the magical themes, which include safari adventures, fairy gardens, underwater treasures, treetop hideouts and enchanted castles. There are even a couple of Hong Kong-inspired rooms with bunk beds modeled after the city’s double-decker green trams and Chinese junk boats.
Beyond the charming suites, the Family Floor includes a shared Pantry stocked with premium childcare essentials — think Stokke high chairs, Uppababy strollers, Ergobaby carriers, Nestig baby cots, placemats, bath toys and even a washing machine and dryer — that parents can use any time during their stay. Finally, The Hangout is a multi-functional living space where families can read, play and dine while enjoying stunning views of The Peak.
A Holistic Wellness Destination
Yun Wellness launched in 2023 and spans the entire eighth floor of the hotel. This newly renovated haven of relaxation draws inspiration from an ancient Chinese poem about nature’s beauty and life’s journey. Earthy hues set the tone, anchored by a living tree in the relaxation lounge, while treatments cater to every stage of life.
Expect quantity and quality here. The menu covers chakra-balancing massages, a tech-savvy far-infrared sauna (believed to detoxify, improve circulation and ease muscle tension), high-performance Tata Harper products and Dr. Burgener facials (featuring products from Switzerland’s acclaimed medi-spa line), prenatal massages, post-natal wraps, as well as nutrition, physiotherapy and osteopathy services.
Before or after your treatment, explore the thermal facilities, a 2,300-square-foot gym with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, a hair salon and a 94-foot-long outdoor swimming pool with an innovative water play zone for kids.
Fantastic Restaurants
Island Shangri-La stands out for its excellent culinary offerings. Among the eight eateries and bars, you’ll find a range of cuisines, including Japanese, Cantonese, Hokkien, French and a decadent afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge.
One of our longtime favorites is the Lobster Bar and Grill. Here, executive sous chef Cary Docherty elevates the surf ’n’ turf menu with subtle twists and the freshest ingredients. You can’t go wrong with the seafood tower — stacked high with king crab, oysters, prawns and lobster — while the masterful beef Wellington, panko-crusted Alaskan pollock fish burger and new Sunday brunch (complete with a bloody mary trolley) show off Docherty’s culinary style. Order one of the artisanal cocktails, then dig in while live jazz energizes the room from Thursday to Saturday.
If you’re celebrating something special, mark your milestones or just-because moments at the Four-Star Restaurant Petrus. This fine-dining address is perched atop the hotel with sweeping skyline views and specializes in contemporary French cuisine that’s guided by the creative mind and deft hands of executive chef Uwe Opocensky. From the lavish French décor to tableside service to sculptural presentations, you’ll feel on top of the world as you savor each artistic dish on the six- to eight-course tasting menus.
A Great Location
Set in the heart of Admiralty, Island Shangri-La is part of the Pacific Place complex — where upscale shops, restaurants and office towers converge in a matrix of glass buildings and escalators — and is minutes away from leafy Hong Kong Park, the Edward Youde Aviary and The Peak Tram terminus.
Thanks to the central location, you’ll be in the heart of one of the city’s most cosmopolitan, energetic areas, which is well-connected to the fast, clean MTR train and historic tram. Within minutes, you can shop for designer wares, devour dim sum, examine ancient teaware or hike in the hills above the city.
