By JOYCE KHOO

World-renowned luxury hotel empire Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has spread its wings even farther, opening two new hotels concurrently in Boracay and Tokyo, and bringing the number of hotels under its management to a grand total of 62.

The first of these, Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa, Philippines, brings to the table a different sort of holiday experience.

Located in the northern part of Boracay Island, the sprawling resort provides guests with 350 meters of unadulterated beachfront, and ravishing views of the tropical island’s flora and fauna. Designed by Hawaiian firm WATG and Singapore-based LTW Design Works, guests have their pick of 219 finely furnished guestrooms or villas.

Meanwhile, Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo occupies the top 11 floors of Marunouchi Trust Tower Main, a 37-floor building just next to Tokyo Station in downtown Tokyo. The interior of the hotel hints of elegant Old World grandiosity and quintessentially Japanese accents.

Famous Czech lighting company Lasvit was engaged to design more than 50 custom-made chandeliers. Carved glass gingko leaves – the symbol of Tokyo - adorn some of these chandeliers, which are scattered throughout the hotel.

A stunning 10-metre long chandelier illuminates a grand staircase linking the first three floors of the hotel. Flower arrangements by artist Nicolai Bergmann, and more than 2,000 pieces of artwork provide the finishing touches to an aesthetic that is truly reminiscent of heaven on earth.

Guests can already check into both hotels and avail themselves of all facilities.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts