The opening ceremony commenced with a ribbon cutting by Ken Corbett, chairman of Tourism Industry Council New South Wales, followed by a lion dance.  Having garnered numerous awards since its launch in 2004, CHI draws inspiration from the origins of the Shangri-La legend, a place of inner peace, enchantment and well-being.

"We are excited to bring CHI to Australia, offering guests a unique spa concept inspired by Asian principles of harmony and balance to complement the legendary Shangri-La hospitality.  CHI perfectly complements the hotel's newly refurbished health club, equipped with a state of the art gymnasium and an indoor swimming pool," said Franz Donhauser, general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney.

The CHI spa features six luxurious private spa suites and offers guests more than 24 treatments based on authentic natural healing methods found in traditional well-being practices by many Asian cultures.  A spectrum of Asian wellness massages, body therapies, facials and CHI journeys are available to guests like CHI Balance, Du Mai Back Therapy and CHI Healing Stone Massage.  Another unique feature is the Sense of Place experiences featuring indigenous treatments inspired by Australia's natural ingredients such as lemon myrtle and eucalyptus.  With roots set in the Chinese theory of the Five Elements of metal, water, wood, fire and earth to harmonise the body's energy, the treatment oils used in all therapies are customised to each guest's element sign, which is expressed by personal preferences in tastes, colours and daily living.

In traditional Chinese philosophy, chi or qi is the universal life force that governs well being and personal vitality.  For people to maintain good health, it is believed that chi must flow freely within the body and, when blocked, "dis-ease" and illness follows.  Body massage, exercise, stretching, hydrotherapy, and movement of the mind through relaxation and meditation combine to assist the body's natural renewal and form the basis of the CHI spa philosophy.

Inspired by Asian principles of harmony and balance, the spa interiors are designed to give guests the utmost privacy and a sense of detachment from the outside world.  A rich tapestry of Asian artefacts, warm woods and specially designed ambient lighting bathe the space in a calming yet mystical glow.  Each of the six suites is a "spa within a spa" to enable guests to indulge in the luxury of personal space, and providing guests with their own private changing area and an aroma steam shower to enjoy before treatments.  Three of the suites, overlooking the world-famous Sydney harbour, feature infinity edge spa tubs for relaxing soaks.