Shangri-La Group Announces Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La Signatures

Shangri-La Group (“the Group” or “Shangri-La”) today announced Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La Signatures (“Songtei Kyoto”), the latest addition to its ultra-luxury Shangri-La Signatures collection. Situated opposite Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyoto, Japan, the 77-key hotel will be the second address in the Shangri-La Signatures portfolio — a collection of rare sanctuaries, each defined by the depth of its location and provenance, brought to life through intuitive, personalised hosting. The hotel is set to welcome its first guests from late 2026, with additional facilities opening progressively ahead of a full property unveiling in early 2027.

Songtei Kyoto: A Noble Residence Reimagined

Rooted in local heritage and guided by a philosophy of intentional design, Songtei Kyoto will curate immersive experiences across art, wellness, gastronomy and storytelling — a reimagination of the quiet grandeur and ceremonial elegance of Kyoto’s prestigious Edo-period residences through a contemporary lens, brought to life through Shangri-La’s art and joy of Asian hosting.

Set on the former residence of the Kyoto Shoshidai, an important historical site in the city, Songtei Kyoto will feature 77 beautifully crafted rooms and suites, designed to frame carefully curated views of Nijō Castle’s Kita Ote-mon (Great North Gate), its gardens and the surrounding landscape, honouring the property’s unique historical setting.

Songtei is named for the pine (“Song”), a symbol of longevity and good fortune, and “Tei,” an invitation to feel at home. Together, the name reflects Shangri-La’s heritage and embodies the refined spirit of Kyoto, where thoughtful hospitality and a deep sense of place are beautifully intertwined.

The hotel will also be home to a holistic wellness sanctuary, with a private spa, indoor and outdoor hot baths, an indoor pool and a state-of-the-art gym. Its culinary programme will celebrate the depth and breadth of Asian gastronomy and culture, spanning an all-day dining lounge, Chinese fine dining restaurant, kappo-sushi counter and intimate evening bar. Select facilities will open progressively ahead of the property’s full unveiling in early 2027.

Shangri-La Signatures’ inaugural property, The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou, opened on the tranquil shores of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hangzhou, China and has earned significant global acclaim in its first year. Highlights include being named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2026 and selected for the prestigious Prix Versailles’ The World’s Most Beautiful Hotels 2026.

Further details on Songtei Kyoto, including room categories, culinary concepts and reservation information will be announced in the coming months.

For the latest updates, please visit www.shangri-la.com.

About Shangri-La Signatures

Shangri-La Signatures is Shangri-La Group’s collection of ultra-luxury boutique hotels, designed for travellers seeking rare, story-rich places and unique encounters.

Set in beautiful and rare properties, each hotel is individual in personality, yet connected by distinctive qualities: the warmth and intimacy of an elegant private residence paired with Shangri-La’s Asian hospitality at its most personal and artistic. Distinguished by intricate design, a deep sense of place and an unexpected perspective on its locale, Shangri-La Signatures is intimate in scale yet abundant in service, texture and generosity, inviting guests to discover their own personal paradise across time and place.

The collection debuted in May 2025 with The Silk Lakehouse in Hangzhou, China, and will expand into Japan with Songtei Kyoto in late 2026, with future properties bringing fresh perspectives to remarkable places around the world.

For more information, please visit https://www.shangri-la.com/group/.