As one of Hong Kong’s most iconic hotels with an equally iconic view, the Island Shangri-La has unveiled new spaces to ease the fast pace of city life.

Boasting over 14 years of experience with the Shangri-La Group, Clifford Weiner, Island Shangri-La Hong Kong General Manager, has been at the helm of the iconic Hong Kong property since 2023 and sits down with Wayfarer’s Daisy Melwani to unpack the hotel’s new elevated experiences.

What makes the Island Shangri-La one of the best luxury properties in Hong Kong?

Two signature luxury suites, the Hong Kong Suite and the Shangri-La Suite, feature meticulous attention to detail and adaptable layouts ideal for special events. The Shangri-La Suite includes top-of-the-line entertainment systems, a separate kitchen with a wine cellar, a staff entrance, and a guest bathroom. It strikes an elegant balance between privacy and convenience for hosting, with special lighting points, ceiling-mounted audio-visual speakers and flexible furniture that easily supports everything from traditional weddings to private trunk shows.

For leisure travellers, the hotel offers a refined urban sanctuary focused on relaxation, family experiences, and discovery. Guests can unwind at the newly upgraded Yun Wellness, which promotes holistic health and well-being through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-inspired treatments, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, and rejuvenating programmes suitable for all ages. Families particularly appreciate the dedicated family floor with thoughtfully designed rooms and suites. Positioned on the 45th Floor, it includes 21 luxurious, themed rooms and suites as well as a fully equipped shared Pantry and Hangout rooms combining whimsy with practicality. The spacious, thoughtfully designed rooms are designed for the whole family, from safari to underwater adventure.

Hong Kong is such a foodie destination. Tell us about the food and beverage on offer.

Hong Kong is a gourmet capital where East meets West in dazzling harmony. From bustling street flavours to refined culinary artistry, the city offers a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation that invites travellers to enjoy world-class gastronomy at every turn.

At Island Shangri-La, this is exemplified by our Michelin-starred restaurants: the elegant Restaurant Petrus for French haute cuisine and Summer Palace for exceptional Cantonese dining.

We have also introduced the remarkable Ming Pavilion, a unique venue that harmoniously blends traditional Chinese architecture with modern elegance. This exceptional space creates an ideal ambience for intimate gatherings or meetings, while its Fujian cuisine delivers a delightful culinary experience.

The property was recently refurbished. Tell us what the guest feedback has been.

The recent upgrade has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests, who praise the successful blend of contemporary luxury with the hotel’s timeless elegance. Many highlight the refreshed rooms and suites for their modern design, calming neutral tones, advanced technology, and stunning floor-to-ceiling views, noting the transformation into a sophisticated urban sanctuary while preserving the classic Shangri-La warmth.

The transformation of Yun Wellness has been particularly well-received, with guests appreciating the new holistic facilities, including the city’s only hotel far-infrared sauna and personalised wellness programmes. Families have embraced the new dedicated family floor, and overall, visitors note that the updates have elevated the property’s comfort and sophistication without losing its iconic character. Comments frequently describe the refreshed spaces as “stunning,” “refreshing,” and “even more inviting,” reinforcing Island Shangri-La’s position as a leading luxury destination in Hong Kong.

Being in a concrete jungle like Hong Kong, tell us about your wellness offering.

In the heart of Hong Kong’s bustling urban landscape, YUN WELLNESS at Island Shangri-La serves as a tranquil nature-inspired sanctuary where guests can truly recharge. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) forms one of the centre’s key wellness pillars, shaping our understanding of the body, movement, energy, and recovery. Rather than treating wellness as a one-off indulgence, Yun Wellness applies TCM principles as a functional framework for modern living, supporting balance, circulation, regulation, and resilience in everyday life.

The offerings are holistic and highly personalised. Guests can enjoy a carefully curated collection of innovative treatments across ten luxurious spa rooms (including couples’ suites), ranging from signature massages and facials to specialised therapies such as far-infrared sauna sessions, the only one of its kind in a Hong Kong hotel, energy healing, sound therapy, and Swiss medi-spa treatments. TCM-inspired services, including consultations with experienced practitioners, further enhance recovery and longevity.

Beyond treatments, Yun Wellness features state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a 28.5-metre outdoor swimming pool, and a vibrant community space. Our membership programme fosters ongoing relationships with practitioners and includes a dynamic year-round calendar of Masters and Visiting Practitioners Series, workshops, and events such as Tai Chi, mindful movement sessions, and specialised retreats. This comprehensive approach transforms wellness into a lifelong practice, helping guests build resilience amid the demands of city life.

Whether a busy executive needs quick recovery or a leisure traveller seeks deep rejuvenation, Yun Wellness delivers meaningful, results-oriented experiences rooted in Asian wisdom and contemporary excellence.