Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi: Welcoming the Year with Prosperity and Panache
Abu Dhabi’s elegant canal-side destination, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, is ushering in the Lunar New Year with a vibrant tapestry of tradition and flavour. Marking the arrival of the Year of the Horse—a symbol of strength and momentum—the resort’s celebrations are designed to engage all the senses.
The festivities will be launched with the most iconic of blessings: a traditional Lion Dance ceremony. Guests can witness the full ritual, including the eye-dotting ceremony to awaken the lions, the rhythmic drumming, and the symbolic plucking of Cai Qing (green vegetables), followed by a spirited parade through the property. The procession culminates in a communal Yee Sang (“prosperity toss”) to usher in good fortune.
Culinary highlights are equally compelling. At the award-winning Shang Palace, Chef Qiguo Su has crafted festive feasts that embody the spirit of renewal, with each dish thoughtfully composed. The dining experience is elevated by the expertise of Tea Master Liu Ping, who will present pairings that complement the chef’s creations. For a lighter interlude, the Lobby Lounge will offer a limited-edition Lunar Prosperity Tea, accompanied by an elegant selection of sweet and savoury treats, providing a serene setting to absorb the festive atmosphere.
Shangri-La Dubai: A Celebration of Strength and Vitality
In the heart of the city, Shangri-La Dubai is embracing the Year of the Horse with a calendar of events focused on confidence, abundance, and forward momentum. The celebrations will commence with the iconic Lion Dance, a performance believed to bring good luck and positive energy, as it winds its way through the hotel’s public spaces, setting a joyful and auspicious tone for the year ahead.
The culinary journey is central to the experience. The hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant will present a series of curated festive menus. Guests can choose from a special Chinese New Year Set Menu, a lavish Chinese New Year Weekend Brunch, and an extended celebration with a Chinese Lantern Festival Menu, each dish inspired by traditional symbols of prosperity, longevity, and happiness. To complement these feasts, the Lobby Lounge will offer traditional Chinese New Year cakes, allowing guests to indulge in these symbolic sweet treats throughout the festive period.
Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul: Where East Meates West on the Waterfront
Perched on the edge of two continents, Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul, is offering a multifaceted Lunar New Year experience that blends its unique location with rich Chinese tradition. The celebration of the Year of the Horse is woven through elegant stays, exquisite cuisine, and restorative spa journeys.
Guests can book a bespoke Lunar New Year stay, with rooms offering sweeping views of the Bosphorus, designed for comfort and new beginnings. A highlight is the elevated Afternoon Tea experience, a creative fusion that features Shang Palace dim sum, Peking Duck bao buns, and Turkish treats, all playfully accented with red horse macarons. Accompanied by unlimited teas and live piano on weekends, it’s a truly unique cross-cultural moment.
At Shang Palace, Head Chef Cheng Lu has curated a sophisticated six-course Lunar New Year Special Menu. For holistic renewal, CHI, The Spa introduces the Asian Balance Ritual—a signature Asian Blend Massage designed to restore harmony and vitality, perfectly aligning with the energetic theme of the year.
Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius: Island Serenity Meets Festive Energy
On the pristine shores of Mauritius, Shangri-La Le Touessrok is inviting guests to welcome the Lunar New Year with a unique blend of island serenity and spirited celebration. The focus is on unhurried luxury and joyful gatherings, framed by the resort’s breathtaking natural beauty.
A special “Breakfast & Dinner on Us” package allows guests to bookend their festive days with flavour, enjoying indulgent breakfast favourites and diverse global-local dinners. The pinnacle of the celebration is the Lunar New Year Dinner, a vibrant event featuring a special Chinese New Year menu highlighting auspicious dishes, brought to life with a dynamic dragon dance performance.
Beyond the festivities, the resort encourages moments of peaceful escape, whether relaxing on the private island or toasting to prosperity at Sun Club by Veuve Clicquot on Coco’s Beach Bar, where chilled Champagne and ocean rhythms meet during the golden hours.
Shangri-La Colombo: The Joy of Sharing Around the Table
In Colombo, the spirit of the Lunar New Year is being celebrated with an intimate focus on togetherness. Shangri-La Colombo brings the festival to life around the dining table with a thoughtfully curated set menu at Shang Palace, designed specifically for sharing.
Inspired by the traditions and symbolism of abundance and renewal, each dish on the menu honours new beginnings. The elegant set menu is crafted to be enjoyed in the company of loved ones, making the simple act of sharing a meal a graceful way to welcome the year ahead. Available for both lunch and dinner, this dining experience offers a meaningful and delicious way to celebrate.
Shangri-La Toronto: A Retreat Rooted in Tradition
Across the Atlantic, Shangri-La Toronto is marking the Lunar New Year with a blend of meaningful traditions and refined comfort. The hotel is offering a special Lunar New Year Retreat, an elevated two-night stay designed for guests to fully immerse themselves in the celebrations.
The package includes daily breakfast at the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, bosk, and access to an elevated Lunar Afternoon Tea. The centrepiece of the experience, however, is the opportunity to witness the Lion Dance Ceremony. This vibrant and auspicious performance, a highlight of Lunar New Year traditions, will wind through the hotel, inviting guests to partake in a ritual believed to bring good fortune and drive away negative spirits.
Shangri-La Paris: A Majestic Fusion of Tradition and Elegance
In the City of Light, Shangri-La Paris is offering a majestic tribute to the Lunar New Year, seamlessly blending French elegance with profound Asian traditions. The celebration of the Year of the Horse will be marked by iconic rituals and exceptional gastronomy.
The festivities will be launched with the traditional Lion Dance, a symbolic ceremony for good fortune and protection, which will take place in the hotel’s front courtyard and parade through the Palace’s public spaces, including the restaurants.
Culinary experiences are at the heart of the celebration. At La Bauhinia, beneath its stunning glass dome, Executive Chef Simon Havage presents an exceptional Chinese New Year brunch. The menu is a journey through refined Chinese flavours, featuring dim sum, salmon and sea bream sashimi, and classic sweet and sour pork. For a more exclusive experience, Chef Tony Xu at Shang Palace has crafted a special Celebration Menu. This culinary journey showcases premium Chinese specialties like Yellowtail “Lo Hei” with Kristal Caviar and delicate lobster Long Ha Kao, offering a truly memorable way to honour the new year.
