Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is one of the world’s premier hotel ownership and management companies.  Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is the trade name of Shangri-La Asia Limited’s management arm. 

The Kuok Group, a diversified and dynamic business conglomerate with origins in Malaysia, has a major equity holding in Shangri-La Asia, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.  Established by Robert Kuok, the group’s business operations span a range of activities and a number of countries in Asia.  In addition to hotels, the group’s portfolio also includes commodity trading, real estate, beverages, logistics, shipping, edible oil refining and plantations.

Inspired by the legendary land featured in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon published in 1933, the name Shangri-La encapsulates the serenity and service for which Shangri-La is renowned worldwide.  The group operates Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders branded properties. Shangri-La properties are primarily five-star deluxe city centre and resort hotels with the majority of the city centre hotels having over 500 guestrooms, whereas the resort properties tend to be smaller.  Kerry Hotels are designed to appeal to business travellers who prefer a vibrant and relaxed environment without compromising on service or quality.  The hotels are contemporary in style and provide a seamless link between business, entertainment and recreation. Extensive leisure facilities serve as a social hub for both hotel guests and the local community. Hotel Jen is a diverse collection of hotels in good locations across Asia Pacific, with a unique brand of style and service delivery designed to appeal to a ‘New Jeneration’ of travellers. 

Shangri-La’s tradition of service excellence started with the opening of the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore in 1971. The hotel’s 15 acres of landscaped gardens, beautifully appointed guest rooms and gracious Asian style set a new standard for hotel excellence, which to this day continues to guide the group’s design features.

Training is Shangri-La's priority and significant resources are allocated annually to ensure employees have the skills and knowledge to be proficient in their fields.  This has earned the group international awards and recognition from guests, prestigious magazines as well as industry partners and made Shangri-La one of the preferred hotel employers, with around 42,000 people serving guests with the philosophy “hospitality from the heart.”

Since its origin, the group has grown rapidly to satisfy the increased demand for deluxe hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific's capital cities and sought-after leisure destinations.  Today there are more than 95 properties, of which only 20 are third party management agreements, throughout Asia Pacific, Europe, Indian Ocean, North America and the Middle East, representing a room inventory of over 40,000.  In addition, the group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in Australia, mainland China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.  

Shangri-La also operates its own dedicated sales and marketing offices: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and Dubai.  The group is linked to more than 30 frequent flyer programmes and has its own frequent guest recognition programme – Golden Circle. The Golden Circle programme has been acknowledged as being a good programme in the industry with over four million current members. 

The following is a brief chronology of the development of the hotel company: 

About Shangri-La Group 

Shangri-La Group is one of the world’s premier developers, owners and operators of hotel properties. The Group’s principal activities are in hotel properties, hotel management services, investment properties and property development for sale.  It currently owns and/or manages over 100 hotels globally in 75 destinations under the Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders brands. The Group also develops, owns and operates investment properties including office properties, commercial properties and serviced apartments/residences.  Prominently positioned in Asia, the Group has a substantial pipeline of upcoming hotel and mixed-used developments in Australia, Bahrain, mainland China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.