Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design — Attraction in Honolulu

Visiting the Shangri La Museum was the most bizarre experience I've ever had. First of all, they are not a museum - and they assume this during the tour. They function as an extremely restricted private property full of questionable rules.

You can't go there on your own. No matter how close you are, you have to head to the Honolulu Museum od Art to catch the shuttle that will take you to Shangri La. They don't make this clear on their website.You only find out after you've bought the ticket, buried in some small-print email.

As we were closer to Shangri La and didn't know about these stupid rules, we went there by Lyft. We arrived at the door, they didn't allow us entry and we had to take another Lyft to go to the Honolulu Museum of Art and catch the shuttle.

When we finally entered Shangri La we were surprised by the beauty of the place, but the biggest surprise came later. As we had a reservation at Diamond Head (which is 1.5 mi from Shangri La) we informed the staff that we would not be taking the shuttle back to the Honolulu Museum of Art. They simply stated that we could only leave via the shuttle.

How is someone FORBIDDEN from leaving a place they paid to visit on their own? And the basic right to come and go freely? The lack of empathy and flexibility with which they handled the situation was simply inhumane. I've never witnessed anything quite like it; being physically prevented from leaving a place is unprecedented.

I was 1.5 miles from my next destination and they made me go to the other side of town, 5.4 miles away from Diamond Head. Because of this, we lost our reservation at Diamond Head and were unable to get a refund. Visiting Shangri La had the potential to be an incredible experience, but it turned out to be the most frustrating one we've ever had.

It wasn't worth the disrespect we experienced. What's the point of visiting a beautiful place if you're disrespected? Foolish rules...

We toured Shangri La through the Honolulu Museum of Art. The house is situated gorgeously--that beach head is truly the stuff of real estate dreams--and we enjoyed learning about Doris Duke and her unusual affinity for so-called "Islamic" art.

This is, of course, a rich person's private collection; not really a museum. As with Hearst Castle, the objects are arranged like decorative bric-a-brac--a Turkish chandelier here, a Moroccan roof there. The tile art in the courtyard is particularly stunning, offering perfect geometric accompaniments to the ocean views and small garden. None of it really makes any sense, as the docents admit. (There's also something vaguely perverse about viewing pieces from the Middle East in a tropical paradise.) But it's a fine window in a wealthy woman's obsession.

My favorite part of the tour was the talks. The art historians who work at Shangri La are well-versed in the historical and ethical questions raised by the objects in their custody. One very large and beautiful piece was looted from a Persian Mosque centuries ago, and the museum plans to repatriate it someday. The arguments for and against repatriation were fully explored--no woke posturing or imperious defensiveness here.

The only thing I'm still curious about is Doris Duke herself. She was a tobacco heiress with money, power, and a temper--according to Wikipedia she almost certainly killed an employee of hers who tried to quit. (Interestingly, Hearst was also involved in a suspicious death.) I didn't expect the museum staff to go into this, but it complicates the works on display even further.

Either way, I highly recommend a visit to Shangri La. You get a water and an ice cream...

The Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design in Honolulu is a breathtaking blend of history, culture, and architectural beauty. Built in 1937 by Doris Duke, inspired by her extensive travels across the Islamic world, the house was transformed into a museum to showcase the artistic and cultural treasures she collected. Surrounded by stunning ocean views and lush gardens, Shangri La is a serene escape that immerses visitors in the richness of Islamic art and design.

What truly brought the experience alive for me was Navid, one of the museum's exceptional guides. Seen in the courtyard photograph, Navid's passion and deep knowledge of the museum's collection make the tour unforgettable. His storytelling bridges the past and present, weaving fascinating details about the intricate tilework, art repatriation, hand-carved wood panels, and shimmering textiles that fill Shangri La. His enthusiasm is infectious, drawing you into the artistry, history, and craftsmanship behind each piece while connecting it to the broader cultural and historical narratives.

The museum itself is a masterpiece, with its interiors and gardens carefully designed to reflect the diverse regions of the Islamic world. Walking through these spaces with Navid’s guidance felt like stepping into a living, breathing history.

Whether you’re an art lover, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique cultural experience in Honolulu, a visit to Shangri La is a must. The combination of its stunning setting, remarkable collection, and passionate guides like Navid makes it a truly...