A Unique Boutique Hotel In Lhasa Tibet China

Lhasa China isn't everybody's idea of a vacationreal sort of Medieval feel to it, with the stone walls and
destination although Lhasa remains one of the mostwooden floors. The pillows and lampshades have the
apparently remote mysterious, and even romanticeyes of Buddha and all the nooks and crannies have
places on earth. Once completely inaccessible it stillyak butter lamps throwing shadows and emphasising
isn't easy to get to, and then when you do, there is thethe medieval feel to the place.
question of where do you find a decent Lhasa Hotel.The beds are raised onto a Chinese style platform
The House of Shambhala could well be the perfectwhich just goes to emphasise the whole traditional feel
answer, and whilst it may not be the perfect exampleof the place.
of a luxury boutique hotel it nevertheless by anyone'sThe ensuite bathrooms have stone walled showers,
standards it is a unique small boutique hotel onlyheat lamps which are needed and fragrant Tibetan
recently opened in Lhasa Tibet, now of course insoaps.
China. It is certainly vastly preferable to the facelessIf you can, book an upper floor room because they
Chinese hotels to be found in Lhasa.get more of the sun, or alternatively if you want
The House of Shambala is quite unlike anything thatprivacy there are two rooms which form their own
most people have ever seen in terms of it being ancourtyard, with their own separate staircase.
hotel.The view from the roof of the House of Shambhala,
It is situated in the Barkhor area in the historic heart ofwhilst sipping a local cocktail and watching some local
old Lhasa, and it looks like nothing at all as you enterdancers is absolutely breathtaking, and is just one of
off the street. In fact you will wonder if your guide hasthe things to make this a unique luxury boutique hotel.
brought you to the right place as you pass a row ofThe second of course is the position astride a lane
prayer wheels, then suddenly you find yourself in adeep in old Lhasa Tibet.
traditional Tibetan Lhasa House which has quiteUnexpectedly the rooms are warm even with snow
obviously been lovingly restored, and turned into a realon the ground, and there is unlimited hot water.
funky boutique hotelThe restaurant has great food, a mixture of Indian,
The House of Shambalha is the kind of house whereTibetan, Chinese and Oriental with absolutely stunning
a nobleman would have lived, and is three storeyed,tikka. Surprisingly the yak meat is delicious and well
built around a courtyard, with prayer wheels and aworth trying.
shrine in the lobby.The Spa next door has a wonderful soaking tub, and
There are 10 bedrooms and each is different from theyou can have a superb massage to round of a day
other in size and design, painted in gold, saffron,spent wandering around Lhasa.
crimson, or cinnamon, and filled with hand paintedThe staff are all friendly and very willing, although their
antiques, meditation chairs, yoga mats, furry white rugs,understanding of English is less than perfect, but this is
and exquisite Buddhist paintings. The whole thing has aLhasa after all!