Rachel Leroy 
The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is the epitome of the phrase “Palace in the Sky”. It is located in Lhasa, considered one of the highest cities in the world. “Lhasa” derives its name from the Tibetan word for “the holy land”. The city rises 3,680 meters (12,000) feet) above sea level and is dubbed the “Roof of the World”. As The St Regis Lhasa Resort is at the center of it all, it is only fitting to call it “Palace in the Sky”. And it truly is a palace in the truest sense of the word.
[mks_pullquote align=”left” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#0066bf” txt_color=”#ffffff”]Tibet overlooking magnificent skylines, it is also strategically located next to Tibet’s main attractions.[/mks_pullquote]
The St Regis Lhasa Resort offers an unparalleled level of luxury; stellar service and refined elegance set one of the most mystical and exotic destinations found in the world. Lhasa is the capital of China’s Tibet Autonomous Region and has an enthralling history dating back more than 1,300 years. It is steeped in rich history that is worth exploring and unearthing. Not only is The St Regis Lhasa Resort perfectly situated on the plateau of Tibet overlooking magnificent skylines, it is also strategically located next to Tibet’s main attractions.
The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is right across the World Heritage Site, the Potala Palace, once the chief residence of the Dalai Lama. Adherents would be excited to know that they are only 3 km away from where the Dalai Lama used to reside. Only six minutes by car from the resort, the Potala Palace has now been converted into a museum and offers glimpses into the life of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang Temple, another iconic landmark and Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s former Summer Palace, are also nearby. Barker Street is only 3 km away; the Lhasa Railway Station is 6 km away while the Lhasa Gongga Airport is 75 km away.
Located right in the heart of the famous Barkhor area, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort provides unrivaled views of the sweeping surrounding landscapes. The hotel is perfect for those seeking respite from the drudgery of city life while providing the perfect escape for contemplation and solace. It truly is the right place for those wanting to go on a pilgrimage to the “holy land” of China. Surrounded by historic structures and iconic buildings, Lhasa is also the place to be for those craving for an adventure-filled journey soaked in history and mystery.
When staying at The St Regis Lhasa Resort, you can either create your own itinerary or join a guided tour. Should you decide the latter, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort arranges guided tours to the extraordinary sites close by including Mount Everest, the “Goddess Mother of the Land’ and the Tashilunpo Monastery, founded in 1447. Yungbulakang, also known as “the Mosher and Song Holy Hall,” is an ancient palace built during the second century BC and sits on the east bank of the Yalong River. Shoppers would be delighted to know that The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is also within a 10-minute walk to the ancient Barkhor shopping and Barkhor Street, Lhasa’s oldest thoroughfare. It is known for its eclectic market stalls and diverse colorful architecture.
The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is a vast 5-star hotel, spread out wide and occupies five stories and is seemingly laid out in a strange way. It is so wide that navigating can be a challenge. Finding your room especially at night can be difficult to find your room if you are not familiar with the place. This large 5-story hotel has an entrance up a steep cobblestone driveway to the front door. There is no sidewalk to walk down to the street level, which can be strange. It’s good to know though that there is a lovely pond and walking area at street level inside the compound. But then again it is difficult to access.
For a five-star hotel, it is quite surprising to know though that there is no fitness center. But its vastness more than compensates for the lack of basic facility as a gym. As it rises 12,000 feet above sea level, you can run back and forth on the walking area to complete a half marathon. That will definitely help keep you in shape. Altitude sickness is helped with oxygen tanks provided in the rooms. This can be very handy for guests having trouble adjusting to the altitude. They’re on the ‘roof of the world’ after all.
Rooms at The St Regis Lhasa Resort are very spacious too, as if in adherence to the vastness of the resort. The rooms are too big that you would think you’d been given a suite. The rooms are very thoughtfully laid out and comfortably decorated but can be a bit dark. There are night-lights by the steps to help show the way to the bathroom especially when you need to go in the middle of the night. Rooms are well heated so there is no fear of shivering in the biting cold. There is also plenty of hot water for a long comfortable shower, something that you would really want to indulge in while in Tibet.
Website: www.starwoodhotels.com
Address: No.22, Jiangsu Road, Lhasa, Tibet (Xizang)850000, China
Located in the eastern part of Lhasa, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is a unique and sophisticated address—conveniently located in the famed Barkhor area. The sweeping landscapes surrounding this distinguished resort provide a timeless, inviting setting for contemplation as well as exploration.
The word “Lhasa” is Tibetan for “the holy land” and with an altitude of 3,680 meters above sea level, Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. Lhasa is the capital of China’s Tibet Autonomous Region and has a fascinating history dating back more than 1,300 years.
The St. Regis Lhasa Resort faces the World Heritage Site, the Potala Palace, once the chief residence of the Dalai Lama. A mere six minutes by car from the resort, the palace has been converted into a museum. Jokhang Temple, another iconic structure and Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s former Summer Palace, are also close by.
Allow our chauffeur to take you on a guided tour to visit other intriguing sites including Mount Everest, the “Goddess Mother of the Land’ and the Tashilunpo Monastery, founded in 1447. Yungbulakang, also known as “the Mosher and Song Holy Hall,” is an ancient palace built during the second century BC and sits atop the east bank of the Yalong River.
The resort is within a 10 minute walk to the ancient Barkhor shopping area and Jokhang Temple. Lhasa has many other famed attractions to explore including Barkhor Street, Lhasa’s oldest thoroughfare, brimming with eclectic market stalls and diverse colorful architecture.
