Buzz: North America’s First Shangri-La Hotel Will Open in January 2009 in Vancouver

We love us some Shangri-La style, and now the Hong-Kong based hotel chain (of deluxe five-star properties) is coming to the Americas. The company currently owns and/or manages 55 hotels in Asia, Australia and the Middle East, and soon-- in just six months--Vancouver guests will get a taste of this renowned Asian hospitality. (Think welcome tea awaiting at arrival and wireless in-room check-in.) The Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver has just topped 61 stories (647 feet), making it the tallest building in the city. Notably, this multi-purpose complex was built to LEED green building standards, and the environmentally-friendly space will also house residential living, high-end shopping, restaurants, and an outdoor public art space curated by the Vancouver Art Gallery. The 119-room hotel will have some of the largest guest rooms in Canada (averaging 592 square feet) and fabulous in-room entertainment centers and spacious bathrooms. Also on-site: CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La offering a range of therapies based on the ancient healing traditions, philosophies and rituals of China and the Himalayas. Let the six-month countdown begin!