Shangri-Spa
Shangri-Spa in Paper Mario: The Origami King
Toads 1
Not-Bottomless Holes 5
Collectible Treasures 9
? Blocks 8
Enemies Snifits
Koopa Troopas
Chargin' Chucks
Goombas
Spike Tops
Hammer Bros
Sumo Bro
Boss Sumo Bro
“We have a lot on our plate, but for now? All we have to do is soak in the hot springs and collect stamps.”
Olivia, Paper Mario: The Origami King

Shangri-Spa (also parsed Shangri Spa[1]) is a location in Paper Mario: The Origami King. It serves as the main setting for the green streamer district and features a total of five hot springs, which are the Spring of Purification, the Spring of Bliss, the Spring of Sanctuary, the Spring of Jungle Mist, and the infamous Spring of Rainbows. Additional features of Shangri-Spa include an entrance, a front desk, a central plaza with a fountain, and a banquet hall that has been crushed by Bowser's Castle. The existence of Shangri-Spa is hinted by messages on statues of its resident Toads found on various islands in The Great Sea.

The name of Shangri-Spa is a pun of Shangri-La.

HistoryEdit

Right after defeating Tape atop the Sea Tower and destroying the purple streamer's spool, Mario must use the Magic Circles in the area to access the four Vellumental idols. He must then hammer a red button on each idol to makes it rotate toward a center platform; once all four idols are facing the platform, each fires a beam from its mouth. The beams merge and creates a beacon of light on the platform that warps Mario and Olivia up to the entrance to Shangri-Spa.

Olivia suggests they follow the green streamer through the clouds that part to reveal an entrance hall, which appropriately reads "Paradise Found" (a reference to the 1667 epic poem Paradise Lost by John Milton). Inside, there are Toads who welcome them. Mario must head to the front desk and speak to the receptionist, who requests a 1,000-coin "donation" fee to get started. He then gives them access to four of the five springs offered at the resort, as well as the Stamp Card. Mario must use the stamping station at each spring after using it to fill out the card.

Bowser's Castle destroys the Shangri-Spa Banquet Hall

As Mario and Olivia exit the entrance hall, they find Kamek, who informs the two of Bowser's second capture and how Bowser's Castle fell from the sky and onto the resort, crushing the banquet hall. Suddenly, a Toad comes out, angry at Kamek for destroying the banquet hall, ruining several reservations and prompting him to charge several fees. Kamek teams up with Mario and Olivia and directs them through the central plaza, which is full of Bowser's minions cleaning the spa. He leads the two to the castle, which is in ruins. Mario and Olivia head toward the castle, but are forced to retreat when Boss Sumo Bro appears on its cloud and almost strikes them with lightning. Just then, Bowser Jr. appears, trying to rescue his father. He races toward the castle only to be cut into pieces by Scissors, weakening him and his clown car. Mario, Olivia, and Kamek take the dismembered pieces of Bowser Jr. to the Spring of Purification, which pieces Bowser Jr. back together, but leaves him creased, folded, and dirty. The group then takes him to the Spring of Bliss and the Spring of Sanctuary.

After using all four springs, Bowser Jr. is smoothed out and cleaned, although he loses his color and energy from soaking in the Spring of Jungle Mist for too long. Fortunately, at this point, Mario can speak to the receptionist at the front desk to receive a Spring of Rainbows - VIP in exchange for the completed Stamp Card. This is used as a ticket to gain access to the exclusive and secluded Spring of Rainbows, located off to the west of the plaza.

After Bowser Jr. is finally restored to normal, he flies Kamek, Mario, and Olivia up to Boss Sumo Bro's cloud. Mario defeats Boss Sumo Bro, clearing the path to Bowser's Castle. Before entering the castle, Kamek uses the spa intercom to rally the minions to take back the castle.

LayoutEdit

 
The entrance hall

The first area of the resort, the entrance, is small with a simple bridge connecting to a building that serves as an entrance hall. Here, Mario can use the light beacon to return to the top of the Sea Tower at any time. Inside the entrance hall is a line of white Toads wearing wings and togas with one particular Toad at the front desk who works as the receptionist. There is a statue behind him resembling one of the many seen in the Great Sea; additionally, all of the other Toads here recite "Seek and ye shall find" and "Come, follow me to paradise", each of which are quotes inscribed in the statues.

In the northwest corner of the entrance hall is a miniature model of what appears to be the Super Marino - the Toad next to it labels it the "Spa Marino", used to guide guests to Diamond Island. Mario can ask him for an extended story. The Toad then goes on about a legend of how the Spa Marino was stolen by Captain T. Ode, who gave it to King Shroomses in exchange for his crown. However, as one of the resort's most prestigious visitors, the king conspired to have him successfully captured and frozen. Olivia comments this must have cooled him down, making him kinder to the others.

In the southwest corner of the entrance hall is a statue with a sign calling it "Shan". In the southeast corner is a statue with a sign reading "Gri-spa" - saying these messages together sounds like saying "Shangri-Spa". Next to this statue is a mural from King Shroomses as a gift for the resort's service. To the right of the entrance hall is a Warp Pipe that serves as a shortcut between Shangri-Spa and Musée Champignon in Toad Town.

 
A map of Shangri-Spa
 
The central plaza of Shangri-Spa, with Bowser's Castle in the background

To the left of the entrance hall is the Spring of Purification, effective for rips and tears. Nearby is the stamp station for this hot spring, which Mario is able to use immediately after soaking in it. Outside the building, a white brick path leads to a bridge connecting to a central plaza with a fountain. There are signs noting the main locations of the spa just outside the entrance hall and in the plaza. From the plaza, there are other bridges leading to other hot springs. The Spring of Bliss is east of the plaza, the Spring of Sanctuary is south of the plaza, and the Spring of Jungle Mist is off far northwest of the plaza in its own location. The banquet hall is normally north of the plaza, but was crushed by Bowser's Castle and surrounded by rubble. The Spring of Rainbows is hidden away west of the plaza and can only be accessed after earning the Spring of Rainbows - VIP ticket; its location on the map is also obscured.

All the hot springs in the area fully restore Mario's HP if he soaks in them.

ShopEdit

Two shop stands ran by Snifits can be found in the west end of Shangri-Spa.

Legendary ItemsEdit

This stand is available after pulling out the yellow Snifit stuck in the bridge leading to the Spring of Jungle Mist.

Image Item Price
  Legendary Boots 2100
  Legendary Hammer 2220

SouvenirsEdit

This stand is available after speaking to the blue Snifit sitting on top of the stand.

Image Item Price
  Flashy Mushroom 800
  Shangri-Spa Toad 24800
  Legendary Iron Boots1 2200

1 - Available after buying Shangri-Spa Toad

CollectiblesEdit

NOTE: Some collectibles are found in areas that are inaccessible until returning later; these entries are highlighted in beige.

Hidden ToadsEdit

Form Description Image
1 Hidden Toad
  Behind the entrance hall to Shangri-Spa is a satellite office, where the local Sensor Lab Toad can be found jammed into the fax machine. After being freed, Mario can fax travel to and from Shangri-Spa.  

Not-Bottomless HolesEdit

Description Image
5 Holes
Down the steps behind the entrance hall building is a Not-Bottomless Hole Mario must fill in to reveal as a door to a Sensor Lab satellite office.  
Behind the bushes all the way on the northeast side of the plaza is a very small lift which takes Mario to a Not-Bottomless Hole serving as the door to a coffee shop.  
There is a Not-Bottomless Hole in the wall next to the chest containing Collectible Treasure #96: Water Vellumental Idol.  
There is a Not-Bottomless Hole on a blue pipe behind the Spring of Bliss, from which cold water is leaking from. After defeating a Hammer Bro who is guarding this hole, Mario is required to fill it in to direct cold water into the hot spring.  
The final Not-Bottomless Hole is found within the ruins of the banquet hall.  

Collectible TreasuresEdit

Treasure Description Image
9 treasures
 

Earth Vellumental Idol
In a treasure chest behind the entrance hall building. It is guarded by a Hammer Bro and is next to the steps leading to a Sensor Lab.  
 

Water Vellumental Idol
Mario must walk through the gap in the southwest corner of the plaza to find a small ledge with a treasure chest.  
 

Fire Vellumental Idol
There is a small, hidden tunnel below a Hammer Bro leading to a lift which in turn leads to a small floating platform with a treasure chest.  
 

Ice Vellumental Idol
There is a cracked pillar in the ruins of Bowser's Castle and the banquet hall Mario must hammer to knock over, allowing him to get onto the right side of the castle, where there is a chest.  
 

Water Buckets
Just before the bridge leading to the Spring of Jungle Mist, Mario must ride the other lift, which takes him southwest to a small floating platform with 100-Coins and a treasure chest.  
 

Sea Tower
Must be purchased from a Spike on the northwest side of the plaza for 10,000 coins (20,000 if bought after removing the green streamer).  
 

Shangri-Spa Fountain
Must be purchased from a Shy Guy on the northeast side of the plaza for 10,000 coins (20,000 if bought after removing the green streamer).  
 

Shangri-Spa Toad
Must be purchased from the Snifit vendor for 24,800 coins (if no membership discount is equipped).  
 

Boss Sumo Bro Cloud
Required: Defeat Boss Sumo Bro

After gaining access to Bowser's Castle, there is a detour to the left of the entrance with a dark-gray panel and a Hidden Block above, containing a collectible treasure of the Boss Sumo Bro.
 

? BlocksEdit

Hidden Item Description Image
8 blocks
 
Coin Bag
To the right of the entrance to Shangri-Spa, there is a ? Block in the shade.  
 
Legendary Hammer
A ? Block can be found tucked away to the left of the Spring of Purification within the main entrance building.  
 
Coin Bag ×2
Behind the main entrance, there are two ? Blocks hidden by trees and guarded by a Hammer Bro.  
 
Coin Bag
To the right of the Spring of Sanctuary, a ? Block is tucked away at the edge of the floating island.  
 
Coin Bag
Near the entrance to the path to Spring of Rainbows, another ? Block is found on an elevated ledge.  
 
Coin Bag
Near the broken, muddy section of wall in front of Bowser's Castle, there is a ledge with a ? Block resting below a tree.  
   
Collectible Treasure #103
Required: Defeat the Boss Sumo Bro

After gaining access to Bowser's Castle, there is a detour to the left of the entrance with a dark-gray panel and a Hidden Block above, containing a collectible treasure of the Boss Sumo Bro.
 

GalleryEdit

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name Meaning
Japanese てんくうスパーランド
Tenkū supā rando
Sky Spa Land

Chinese (simplified) 天空水疗园地
Tiānkōng Shuǐliáo Yuándì
Sky Spa Land

Dutch Sparadijs
Portmanteau of spa ("spa") and paradijs ("paradise")
French (NOA) Archipel Sparadisiaque
Spa-Paradisiac Archipelago
(sparadisiaque is a portmanteau of spa – "spa" – and paradisiaque – "paradisiac")
French (NOE) Azur-les-Bains
Portmanteau of azur ("azure") and -les-bains (literally "-the-baths"; the most common suffix for spa towns in France)
German Bad Elysium
Bad (literally "bath") is the most common prefix for spa towns in Germany, whereas "Elysium" is part of the Greek underworld.
Italian Terme Paradiso
Spa Paradise
Korean 하늘스파랜드
haneul seupa raendeu
Sky Spa Land

Spanish Sparaíso
Portmanteau of spa and paraíso ("paradise")

TriviaEdit

  • There was a glitch involving both the Stamp Card and the Spring of Rainbows - VIP which could softlock the game, requiring the player to start over. If Mario traded the Stamp Card for the Spring of Rainbows - VIP from the receptionist at the front desk, unlocked the Spring of Rainbows, then returned to the front desk and spoke to the receptionist, something strange would happen. The receptionist would ask for the Stamp Card, which is no longer in the player's inventory. Additionally, the Spring of Rainbows cannot be entered due to the player not having the Spring of Rainbows - VIP either. This glitch has been patched since version 1.0.1. and any save files that were affected were fixed to allow the player to continue the story.

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Third answer on the fourth question of Paper Mario: The Origami King Trivia Quiz: "He spent too much time at Shangri Spa". Play Nintendo. Retrieved November 28, 2020. (Archived November 28, 2020, 16:35:20 UTC via Wayback Machine.)