China's largest luxury hotel group will open its second hotel in Guangdong in January 2004.

Shangri-La Hotel, Zhongshan, the first five-star hotel in the city, is set in landscaped gardens close to the local government offices, 15 minutes from the Zhongshan ferry port.

The east wing of the hotel features 268 guest rooms, while the 195-room south wing is due to open May 2004.

The hotel also has extensive meeting and banquet facilities. The grand ballroom, one of the largest in the province, can accommodate up to 1,800 guests for cocktail receptions.

Adjacent to the main building, the health club offers a range of health solutions including a gymnasium, aerobics room, 25-meter indoor swimming pool and two outdoor tennis hardcourts.

Shangri-La has 41 hotels in its portfolio in Australia, China's mainland, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

(Shenzhen Daily December 12, 2003)