Australia's biggest and most sophisticated new five-star hotel club lounge opened yesterday at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney.

Ninety newly refurbished hotel rooms and suites on the hotel's top five accommodation levels have also reopened including two additional rooms – a Grand Harbour View and a Darling Harbour View room plus an upgraded accessible room.

The iconic hotel added the finishing touches to its $8 million refurbishment by Grace Lei Guo, director of Sydney design firm Stack Studio, who has completed several other high-profile Shangri-La Hotel projects around the world.

The Horizon Club Lounge is now Sydney's most luxurious and spacious club lounge, at 335sqm, commanding Australia's best hotel view from its prime position in The Rocks. Guests also have a telescope to take in the Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

A stunning giant brass and crystal light feature, by Mark Elliot, principal of Australian designers Point of View, forms a striking centre-piece and talking point.

The lounge's expanded dining area now accommodates 123 guests, with an additional 47 seats, and features one of Sydney's only communal tables in a five-star hotel club lounge – a beautiful 4 metre long marble-topped sold timber centrepiece with a cold well, from which guests can help themselves to premium Australian wines and sparkling wines. Hand-painted Australian native flora mural designs decorate the walls.

Upgraded boardroom facilities seat 10 people and now take in harbour views, with full AV equipment including a sophisticated sound system and two giant screens, free wifi and broadband internet as well as magazines and newspapers.

The hotel's rooms and suites are already among the biggest in the city – the biggest is the Royal Suite which offers a vast 242 square metres of living and entertaining space, an executive study room, private dining room and a personal butler.

Enhanced privileges exclusive to those who book Horizon Club accommodation include coffees made by trained baristas, a Shangri-La signature cocktail, desserts by Executive Pastry Chef Anna Polyviou, house-made butter and honey from the hotel's rooftop beehive, plus:

• Private check-in and check-out in the Horizon Club Lounge on Level 30
• Automatic 4pm check out time
• Light buffet breakfast from 6:30am to 10:30am daily and until 11am on weekends
• A selection of non-alcoholic beverages, hot drinks and juices available all day
• Complimentary afternoon tea from 2pm to 5pm daily
• Evening drinks and canapés from 6pm to 8pm daily, lounge access until 9pm
• Newspapers, international magazines, books and board games in the lounge
• Complimentary broadband and wireless internet access
• A designated computer workstation with printing facilities
• Access to a private meeting room seating 10; complimentary one-hour use per stay 
• A pillow menu
• Personalised welcome letter in the room
• Personal Horizon Club concierge service, including reservations
• Complimentary pressing of one suit or dress during a guest's stay
• Complimentary shoe shine service

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney's vice president and general manager, Michael Cottan, said the new space would become an iconic showpiece for Sydney.

“The Horizon Club lounge is an extraordinary design achievement which provides a delightful space for guests to enjoy our stellar food and beverage offering and the Shangri-La service we are known for,” Mr Cottan said. “It also cleverly connects the interiors of this beautifully designed space with the extraordinary views of Sydney. It really transports our guests to a place of enjoyment and relaxation during their stay.”

To see more about the new Horizon Club, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @shangrilasydney #shangrilasydney.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages more than 85 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 36,000.  Shangri‑La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.  Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.  The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar and Sri Lanka. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com. 

PRESS CONTACT:              

Natasha Granath

Director of Communications

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Tel: (61 2) 9250 6151

E-mail: Natasha.granath@shangri-la.com

Website: www.shangri-la.com