Shangri-La Group has announced the latest addition to its ultra-luxury Shangri-La Signatures collection – Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La Signatures.

Situated opposite Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyoto, Japan, 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, personalized 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.

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.

Set on the former residence of the Kyoto Shoshidai, an important historical site in the city, Songtei Kyoto will feature 77 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.

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 program 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 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.