Just got back from 2 night stay at this hotel. I did vow never to stay at another Shangri-La after a very bad experience in KL Malaysia (I checked out the same night to the Mandarin across the road and nobody at reception even batted an eyelid). Having given them a 2nd try and in another country I thought I'd be safe but quickly started to realise that was wishful thinking...don't get me wrong it COULD be a great hotel because the investment's there and the facilities are great but in my opinion it all comes down to staff training.
If your staff are not properly trained and are unable to do the basic stuff consistently well then there's no point in trying to deploy all the fancy nice little touches because by that time your guest is thoroughly hacked off (take note senior management if you're reading).
For me it all started to go wrong when at 13:50 our 2pm check-in time was unavailable due to our 2 rooms still being cleaned; when I re-checked at 2:20pm the receptionist told me "I will check right away and come and update you in the looby, where I was forced to wait and take a very posh coffee (not complimentary). At 2:50pm I had to go to reception AGAIN (by this time less than happy and feeling rather meaningless) and was told by the receptionist and the front desk manager that we could have the keys but the rooms were still being hoovered.
Ok no problem (at least we had the keys!!) so we finished our coffees and went up about 15 minutes later when we were assured that our luggage would be waiting for us. Fortunately the cleaners had finished but I had to call down and chase the luggage.
Again at breakfast a similar story...my plate was cleared by 1 waiter and my dirty cutlery taken off my plate and placed by my
side for re-use...my colleague sat opposite me had his cleared by another waiter and the cutlery taken away at the same time???
They appeared paranoid about you signing the breakfast bill too so that was dumped under our noses mid breakfast a bit like a road side cafe`/diner.
Anyway pause for a deep breath and sigh... the Shangri-La has the potential and the assets to be a lot better than it really is which is frustrating. I suggest they send all their staff to the Mandarin Bangkok to attend their in house training school then we might really see a true 5 star hotel instead of a wanna be one.

If you're travelling on business or it's just a 1 night stop over you should be ok; if you're on a special trip and want a bona fide luxury 5 star experience with impeccable service and all the trimmings I suggest you research a more serious player.

I have stayed here twice now on business for full 7-10 day stays and am due to return in 2 weeks I am that happy with the hotel.It has a good location as a bit quieter than being down in Central and certainly has more ambience than the Four Seasons which, personally, I find quite sterile. Wanchai bars can be walked to and for business, depending on the heat, one can walk through HK Park to the business district which is a great way to start or finish a business day.

The staff at the Shangri are superb and make every effort whether in the pool/spa area or just in general throughout the hotel. The pool is lovely as you can look at some greenery as opposed to another building with the Park being so close.
The Spa and gym are very good and again, as opposed to the Four Season, are very easy to access from the rooms.

Rooms are a good size although just a little faded....but certainly well appointed unless you are fussy like me! Bathrooms are big and spacious and a harbour view worth paying for due to the hotel's postion on a hill. Executive rooms on 55th floor have oversize LCD TVs and a few other goodies.

Great for business and I would have no hesitation in taking my wife and kids there either.

My family loves the Island Shangri-La.

Maybe one day it will disappoint, but that day has not yet arrived!

After getting through customs at Hong Kong's wonderful airport, we emerged at the arrivals area and the Shangrila staff spotted us immediately. (They "just know" who you are.)

The guys jumped under the wire and took all our luggage.

We were whisked to the Rolls Royce which has the most lovely deep-blue carpet. (And it costs a pittance when you convert to pounds or euros.)

Felix drives like a calming massage. At the hotel, Hitomi (who was "our" service lady this time) whisks us straight to the room, where you get to sign your name to check in. Of course your XBox is plugged in and running already for the kids, etc etc, Sir.

The I.S.L. swimming pool is a favorite place on Earth; you are outdoors surrounded by the amazing skyscrapers, in a micro-valley of greenery.

Eat up a storm at Cafe Too, or try the fine restaurants. (Petrus of course, or Nadaman - the only one outside Japan.)

As always enjoy the views and the ultra-solidly-built ("now that's real luxury") rooms. Enjoy the world's biggest mural, the surreal/amazing atrium, etc etc etc etc as usual.

The best luxury shopping mall in the world is ... underneath the hotel. Pop down to Van Cleef & Arpels for something for your wife.

Tragically due to some sort of idiot conference being held by boring bankers, the hotel was quite full so we were not able to get the usual harbour view suite, which is the way to go.

They hooked us up with two connected rooms on the harbour side, which is not bad at all. (Unfortunately on a "low" floor, i.e. about floor 45, but that's what you get for booking late.)

More good news, they have now opened a restaurant area, OUTDOORS, just by the pool. We LOVE this because you are out with the skyscrapers, awesome at night time. There might even be some attractive lady bankers in the pool for you single men.

They opened it due to the new HK smoking laws - so it's one place where you can smoke and eat (since outdoors); this is a good system which is fair for all. They wheeled out the humidor so I could have a massive cigar, they bring charming shalls for your children and wife if the night is a little cool, and generally life is perfect.

Tip: the "pool deck" restaurant area has an abbreviated menu, BUT because it's the Shangrila of course you can do whatever you want -- you can order from one of the other restaurants and sort it out. The Lobster Bar & Grill works very well, they brought me a couple of lobster thermidor from there to the "pool deck" area.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

The island Shangrila.

Hot tip! At the airport now, they have these wonderful golf-buggy "taxis". As soon as you get off the plane, there are golf-buggy "taxis" waiting which will take you to customs; same thing when you're going back the other way. This saves you a very long walk - and they cost a pittance (one or two pounds/euros!!) so it is crazy not to use them every single time.

If money is no object, this is a fantastic place to stay on Hong Kong side.