Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is set to realise its lofty ambition of a hotel and spa in the heart of the Himalayas - the highest region on earth.

The Hong Kong-based hotel operator and owner will cut the ribbon on Tibet’s Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa on 17 April.

Sitting 3,650m (11,975sq ft) above sea level, the 289-room hotel is encircled by the renowned Himalayan mountains, glaciers and desert-like landscapes, serving as a luxurious base for those wishing to explore dramatic scenery and some of the world’s most culturally significant Buddhist sites.

Visitors to Lhasa are advised to acclimate to the high altitude before exploring widely, and this has been incorporated into the spa, which features an oxygen lounge, reflexology sessions and a range of other treatments.

Drawing heavily on Tibetan design, customs and architecture, the resort also houses a fully-equipped gym, an indoor swimming pool, a Tibetan Tapas lounge, several themed restaurants, an elevated cocktail terrace and a 1,215sq m (3,986sq ft) ballroom.

The opening marks Shangri-La's continued expansion across the region, having last year opened hotels in Shenyang, Qufu and West Shanghai.

The emergence of Lhasa'a latest hotel and spa is indicative of how the remote region is becoming increasingly accessible. Starwood's Iridium spa launched in Lhasa in late 2010, an event featured in Spa Business magazine.