Songtsam Retreat at Shangri-La — Hotel in Jiantang

As fanciful as James Hilton’s Arcadian depiction of Shangri-La may seem, we experienced unparalleled service and sense of integration with Tibetan culture at the little slice of heaven that is Songtsam Lugu. The most enduring impression I had was the remarkable story and enormous cultural substance the brand carries. Founder BaiMa Duoji worked as a documentarian of Tibetan and Yunnan cultures in Beijing for years before resolving to promulgate his idyllic hometown to a worldwide audience. Although Shangri-La was as beautiful an earthly place as it gets, it lacked a luxurious accommodation that was equally immersed in the marrow of local spirituality as it was an agreeable stay for curious outsiders. He converted his former home into Lugu, the very first Songtsam luxury hotel, and over the following decades built many other lodges in celestial locations untainted by industry throughout villages in Tibet and Yunnan. He collected invaluable Buddhist artifacts from all of Asia to ground the hotels in sublime soulfulness and only hired local staff who grew up in the culture. ||When we arrived at the stunning location, a few hundred feet from the Songtsam Monastery and its nearby lake, our spent bodies and minds from 14 hours of travel were immediately calmed and nourished by the breathtaking Tibetan architecture of the hotel. The staff were overwhelmingly enthusiastic to address our every need. The lobby and our guest rooms were adorned with an incredible array of authentic Tibetan artworks including some mesmerizing Thangkas for lovers of visual art. I felt a stream of grounding energy by the authentic 8th-century sculpture of Siddhartha in the foyer on display unshielded by glass, creating a magnetic field of bliss and serenity. Although the rooms were designed according to meticulous Tibetan tradition, they had up-to-date modern appliances standard in any Western five-star hotel. The bathrooms were spacious and richly adorned. Bedding was very comfortable too. ||In the days we spent at Songtsam, the staff were quick to arrange many activities for us. I especially recommend the mountain-biking, Thangka painting and horse-riding in the Hamu Valley area. Definitely some once-in-a-lifetime memories made. The Songtsam Linka hotel, a newer establishment is five minutes away from the Lugu location, and houses the Songtsam museum which is free to guests and contains an enormous collection of Tibetan art and artifacts given that it is simply a hotel museum. Linka also offers unrivaled view of the Songtsam Monastery and has some beautiful photo spots. ||The Tibetan cuisine was exquisite too. One must try the acidic yak milk hotpot and stone stirred yak at the hotel restaurant. Linka also has a must-try restaurant offering traditional Tibetan style yak hotpot. The yak meat is so tender it melts in your mouth. There is also an on-site café offering Western cuisine—the yak salad and yak pizza are amazing! Also, afternoon tea at both hotels are complimentary for Lugu guests and all in-room beverages as well as nightcaps are included in room rates. ||Overall, a very satisfying stay at the Shangri-La Lugu. We will be visiting other Songtsam hotels in the...

What was good 1. We received excellent butler service from 边宗, who went above and beyond her responsibilities. She supported various departments such as housekeeping, laundry, and room coordination with great efficiency and responsiveness. 2. Overall service standards were good, and staff were generally courteous & helpful. However, there was some resistance during breakfast when we requested to take away a small portion of food, which could have been handled with more flexibility.Areas for Improvement 1. Unfortunately, our original room was located directly beside an active construction site, with tractors passing frequently throughout the day. This significantly affected our experience and reflects a lapse in room assignment planning. 2. The room quality and housekeeping standards did not meet expectations, especially considering the premium pricing. The bed was overly soft and sunken, the shower gel was nearly empty at checkout, and personal items were moved by housekeeping but not returned to their original positions. 3. The laundry service lacked proper handling of delicate materials—particularly wool items—and hygiene standards need improvement. For instance, clean socks were returned in a visibly reused plastic bag, which is concerning for a property of this caliber. 4. There was a lack of detailed information provided for day activities. We joined a cycling trip but did not receive sufficient pre-trip guidance regarding terrain, attire, or necessary items to bring. Improved coordination and communication between the hotel and vendors would greatly enhance guest preparedness and safety. 5. We were disappointed to learn that guests staying at Songtsam Linka were not allowed to participate in Songtsam Green Lodge activities, contrary to what we were informed prior to our arrival. This inconsistency in information was frustrating and impacted our...

The lovely Songtsam is beautifully located opposite the tibetan Songzanlin monastery and the bordering lake. Shangri-la is about 4 km away. The village-like layout of the hotel is spread over more than 20 buildings and is designed in tibetan style with many references to this magnificent region. Our room was large and styled in traditional tibetan style and rounded off with all sorts of modern amenities. The rooms are decorated with local handicrafts and complemented by tibetan antique furniture. Our room had as well a terrace and a litte garden facing the monastery. You hardly want to leave the room. The bathroom is large with separate shower and toilet. The handmade copper sinks are a very unique feature. ||The restaurant has large windows to enjoy the breathtaking views of the monastery and the great countryside while enjoying local or western cuisine (they even had Wiener Schnitzel on the menu). Service staff is very friendly and attentive. Buffet breakfast is very good. All staff around the hotel is friendly and service oriented. In the evening staff and locals perform traditional dances on a...