Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The spa offers a herbal bath in holy water blessed by a local lama (!), and the hotel's soft
furnishings are made in an on-site workshop by disadvantaged Tibetans. The fabulous
rooftop terrace is a great place to relax over a Baileys-and-masala-chai cocktail and pet
the resident husky. Just don't take it as seriously as the owners seem to. Off-season dis-
counts of 20%.
Shambhala Palace
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
cl breakfast ¥450-720; closed mid-Jan to end Apr; )
The House of Shambhala's quiet 17-room annex is hidden deeper in the old town, offering
identical styling but no spa. Avoid the smallest rooms here. Off-season discounts of 20%.
Yabshi Phunkhang
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
(, Yáoxī Píngkāng
MAP
632 8885;
www.yabshiphunkhang.com
; 68 Beijing Donglu; r
¥799-880, ste ¥1808; )
Architectural integrity is rare in Lhasa these days, which makes the four-year restoration
of this mid-19th-century mansion all the more remarkable. The collection of 21 large but
fairly simple rooms linked by lovely courtyards and sitting areas is both stylish and atmo-
spheric.
The complex was built for the parents of the 11th Dalai Lama (yabshiis the title given to
the parents of a Dalai Lama).
Lingtsang Boutique Hotel
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
(, Líncāng Jiǔdiàn
MAP
689 9991;
lingtsanghotel@163.com
;
No 38, No 1 Alley, Lugu;
38 s/d/ste ¥980/880/1680)
There are just nine rooms in this traditional and intimate courtyard, the former residence
of Nyi Rinpoche, a tutor of the Dalai Lama. The decor is a mixture of authentic architec-
ture and modern stylish elements, with an open-plan wooden bathroom and dressed
stone floors that add to the monastic feel.
The suite occupies the former throne room of the rinpocheand has the atmosphere of a
monastery chapel. Avoid the jarringly modern ground-floor restaurant and bar and in-
stead soak up the views of the Jokhang from the rooftop restaurant.
