Today, I got the opportunity to visit Shangri La, an incredible oceanfront estate near Diamond Head that belonged to heiress Doris Duke.
Duke first visited Hawaii in 1935 as a 22-year-old newlywed on a yearlong honeymoon. She loved Oahu so much, she purchased a five-acre lot the very next year. (What were you doing when you were 22 or 23? Yeah, me neither.)
Fueled by a newfound love of Islamic architecture and art — another discovery on her worldwide tour — Duke built a mansion brimming with ornate, Middle Eastern architectural elements and art.
According to Shangri La’s website:
“The five acre complex integrates a 14,000-square-foot house, a Playhouse, and a pool, comprising a series of interlocking spaces, both indoors and out: rooms, courtyards, lanais, terraces, gardens, and numerous water features. While design and early construction were underway, Duke traveled extensively in the Middle East, visiting historical monuments and providing the architect with photographs of architectural decoration to be incorporated into Shangri La’s design. She also placed large commissions with contemporary artisans in India, Morocco, Iran, and Syria to create art and architectural elements, utilizing traditional forms, patterns, and means of fabrication.”
Most museums feature works of art, but at Shangri La, the home itself is the art.
Duke orchestrated every aspect of its construction and design, and her attention to detail was remarkable. I found myself drawn to various elements in each room, from the hundreds of Turkish tiles that line the front wall of the foyer (not all were uniform as they had been purchased at an auction and, like many pieces, had lives prior to their arrival at Shangri La) to the vaulted, mirrored ceilings in the dressing room of the master Mughal Suite, adorned with intricate, star-patterned designs.
Despite the heavy Islamic influence, Shangri La also acknowledges its island environment. One of my favorite features is the living room’s descending glass wall, which offers a stunning, unobstructed view of the Playhouse and Diamond Head in the distance.
There was so much to take in, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take any photos inside the home, though you can find a great virtual tour online here.
On the first Saturday of every month, the Honolulu Museum of Art offers free tours for kamaaina, students, and active-duty military, however tickets are extremely limited, and awarded by lottery system.
I’d been submitting requests off and on, never with any luck. When I saw the online form open up last week, I thought, what the heck, and fired off another submission. On Tuesday, I received a welcome surprise in my inbox: “Congratulations! You’re going to Shangri La.”
While the estate itself is located near Diamond Head, the tour starts and ends at the Honolulu Museum of Art. If you arrive early, you can explore the museum, or do what I did and enjoy a drink at the coffee bar before boarding the bus.
If you don’t want to deal with the lottery system, tours are available Wednesdays through Saturdays for $25 general admission, $20 kamaaina. The price includes regular museum admission, so you can take in the art exhibits upon your return. I myself made a beeline for the cafe to enjoy a delicious, relaxing lunch.
Related Links:
- Honolulu Museum of Art: Shangri La tour information
- Shangri La Center for Islamic Arts and Cultures
