Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the debut of St. Regis' first resort in China and first-ever luxury resort in Tibet, with the opening of The St. Regis Lhasa Resort.

Standing on the "Roof of the World" at 12,000 feet above sea level, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort offers refined luxury and superlative service in a storied city. The resort boasts awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas and the Lhasa Valley from each of the 162 guest rooms, suites and villas which feature distinctive architectural details and décor that entwine modern luxury with traditional Tibetan elements.

The spectacular resort embraces the enchanting natural surroundings and breathtaking mountainous views of Lhasa and is destined to set new standards of service and luxury for Tibet. The magnificent resort offers the signature St. Regis Butler Service and features three world class restaurants to please any epicurean taste, a signature tea room, wine bar and an expansive 11,700 square foot Iridium Spa with an ornate gold-tiled pool and Meditation Garden for yoga, Pilates or meditation.

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort boasts 150 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and 12 spacious villas and suites, including the Presidential Suite. Seamlessly blending Tibet's rich culture and exotic natural surroundings, the resort has been designed from the ground up with sustainable features including solar panels, locally-sourced produce and herbs for the resort's restaurants and an underground water recycling system. Guest accommodations feature beautiful residential interiors, custom-designed furniture and spacious marble bathrooms in addition to luxurious linens and amenities such as high-speed internet and plasma televisions in room.

St. Regis will also premiere its new spa brand, the Iridium Spa at The St. Regis Lhasa Resort. Poised to be the world's highest luxury spa, Iridium Spa allows guests to renew and refresh mind, body and spirit with a completely customized experience including traditional Tibetan herbal treatments and aromatherapy services using locally cultivated herbs and plants such as cypress and azalea leaves. Five-star luxury meets mystical Tibetan spiritual wellness at the Iridium Room with its ornate gold-tiled heated swimming pool and stunning Meditation Garden for yoga, Pilates or meditation.

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort offers an array of epicurean taste and experiences in a variety of culturally designed settings. Guests can enjoy convenient, all-day dining at the resort's signature restaurant, Social, featuring with a wide selection of international cuisine or dine at Si Zi Kang, the first gastronomic Tibetan restaurant to savor authentic Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine in a sophisticated and relaxed setting. For Cantonese and Sichuanese cuisine, guests are invited to Yan Ting with six private dining rooms and a diverse menu.

As the first luxury resort in Tibet, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is also proud to present Decanter by Haut-Brisson, the first wine bar in the region serving over 140 labels of wine, liquors and aged cigars. Also the first of its kind, the Tea Room will offer guests a relaxing afternoon with different blends of local and imported teas, and serving vintage teas aged from 10-25 years.

Lhasa, christened "Place of the Gods" by ancient Tibetans, is the spiritual and political center of Tibet. With its ideal location in the ancient Barkhor area, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is close to the city's most important cultural landmarks allowing guests to explore all of the city's treasures. The resort is only a short walk from the Jokhang Temple or guests can rent a hybrid vehicle from the hotel for a short drive to the stunning Potala Palace, Sera Monastery, Norbulinka and the Drepung Monastery. Other scenic Himalayan destinations such as the Heavenly Lake Namtso and Yandra Yumtso Lake also surround The St. Regis Lhasa Resort. Combining Tibet's natural beauty and rich heritage with St. Regis' timeless sophistication, bespoke service and modern luxury, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort's arrival to China will forever change the landscape of luxury travel in the region.

More information: The St. Regis Lhasa Resort