Shangri-La to open New Hotel in Taiwan

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, has signed a contract with the Far Eastern Group to manage the Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Tainan, scheduled to open third quarter 2008. The partnership marks the second hotel in Taiwan owned by the prominent Far Eastern Group and managed by Shangri-La, following Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei which opened in 1994.

Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Tainan will be adjacent to the Tainan Rail Station and a 20-minute drive from the High Speed Rail Station (THSR) with connections throughout Taiwan. The hotel adjoins the Far Eastern Group’s FE21 Mega shopping complex and is located near the famous National Cheng Kung University.

The 336-room, 38-floor atrium hotel is designed to be one of the most luxurious international deluxe hotels in southern Taiwan, with interior design by Hong Kong-based AB Concept and Taiwan-based Metro Space Design as architects. The hotel will feature some of the largest guestrooms in the city with an average size of 50 square metres. The Horizon Club, featuring 51 guestrooms and suites, will offer a host of special amenities and privileges such as express check-in and check-out service, exclusive club lounge for daily breakfast and evening cocktails, and meeting facilities.

Dining options will include a Chinese restaurant on the 38th floor offering Huaiyang, Cantonese and Taiwanese specialties and 360 degree city views, an all-day cafe featuring international cuisines at interactive cooking stations, and a comfortable Lobby Lounge.

Additional facilities will include a health club, spa and outdoor swimming pool.

The hotel will also provide a total 2,293 square metres of function space, including a 1,055-square-metre pillarless ballroom as well as a 300 square-metre auditorium and intimate function rooms totalling 550 square metres.

Mr. Emil Leung has been appointed general manager of the hotel. Mr. Leung has been with Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts for more than 10 years, most recently at Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei.

“The delivery of Shangri-La’s service excellence has a proven track record of success for us,” said Douglas Tong Hsu, chairman and chief executive officer of Far Eastern Group. “After more than a decade of collaboration with Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Taipei, we are confident this new hotel will be a superlative addition to the Tainan hospitality industry.”

Until the end of the 19th century Tainan, in southwest Taiwan, was the political, economic and cultural center of Taiwan. The city is known as the ancient cultural capital of Taiwan and still displays abundant historic buildings and references, with a well-developed industrial and  economic infrastructure.

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