Profile | Ester P. Marcaida

Shangri-La is finally making it home as the Hong Kong-based hotel group raises its flag on the Himalayas by opening an urban retreat in Lhasa on April 17. The brand itself, inspired by the legendary utopia James Hilton wrote about in his 1933 novel Lost Horizon, is widely believed to be somewhere on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.

The Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa will be a luxurious home base for those who wish to explore dramatic Tibetan culture and scenery, says general manager Ester P. Marcaida, adding that international media has called it one of the most anticipated openings in 2014.