Updated: February 2008

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, has signed an agreement with TriGránit Development Corporation to manage the Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Seychelles, opening 2009.

The luxury resort will occupy its own private island – the nine-hectare (23-acre) Long Island off the coast of Mahe in Northeast Seychelles.  Shangri-La Resort and Spa will be 25 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes by boat to the capital city of Victoria.

Not only will Long Island be dedicated to Shangri-La guests, further exclusivity is assured by Shangri-La’s boutique hotel size of 89 villas, including 40 villa-rooms and 49 villas. 

All villas, by Budapest-based Fazakas Gyorgy Architects Ltd. and London and Bali-based Ara Design, will feature infinity-edged plunge pools facing the ocean,  spacious sundecks and outdoor showers, all set amidst meandering pathways through lush island foliage.   

CHI, Shangri-La’s signature spa brand, is designed to create a sanctuary of tranquility inspired by the legend of Shangri-La.  Therapies are based on the ancient healing traditions, philosophies and rituals of China and the Himalayas. 

The island’s hilltop wedding chapel will accommodate up to 30 people for weddings, vow renewals and blessing ceremonies.  Both spa and chapel will offer 360 degree Indian Ocean views.

Waterborne guests will arrive at an open-air lobby with panoramic ocean views.  Dining options will include a lobby lounge and bar, all-day coffee shop, specialty restaurant and poolside bar.  Additional facilities will include a kids’ club, internet room and fitness centre.  An island library will be available for solitary, leisurely reading or small gatherings up to 75 people.

Shangri-La Resort and Spa will be ideally located to take advantage of Seychelles’ clear, warm, turquoise waters.  Long Island is part of acclaimed Sainte Anne Marine National Park; a resort dive centre will outfit first-time and expert divers.  Water enthusiasts can also indulge in boating, fishing, motorized water sports, swimming in the infinity-edged pool or exploring the multiple beach coves that ring the island.  Tennis buffs are not forgotten with an ocean-view tennis court.     
  
“Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Seychelles will be an Indian Ocean oasis combining Shangri-La’s signature Asian style of service with distinctive Seychellois charm,” said Giovanni Angelini, chief executive officer and managing director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.  “This combination will produce an unforgettable experience; we are grateful for visionary owners such as TriGránit Development Corporation, which recognized the potential of such a partnership.”

“We selected Shangri-La to manage this very special property due to its record of delivering superlative standards of service – nothing less would suit this ultra-luxury Seychelles island-resort,” said Todd Cowan, chief executive officer, TriGránit Development Corporation.

TriGránit is a fully integrated real estate investment, development, and management company. With operations in 10 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, a large portfolio of completed trophy assets, and with a nearly €2 billion pipeline of major mixed-use developments, as well as a number of public private partnership (PPP) investments, TriGránit is well positioned to participate in the expanding real estate markets.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, currently owns and manages 55 hotels under the five-star Shangri-La and four-star Traders brands, with a rooms inventory of over 28,000.  The group has over 50 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Japan, Macau, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.   For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

For digitised pictures of the group’s hotels, please go to http://www.shangri-la.com/imagelibrary