Shangri-La Group will open Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La Signatures in late 2026, marking the collection’s second property.
Located opposite Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyoto, Japan, the 77-key hotel will welcome its first guests from late 2026. Additional facilities will open progressively ahead of the property’s full unveiling in early 2027.
A New Kyoto Hotel Near Nijo Castle
Songtei Kyoto will occupy the former residence of the Kyoto Shoshidai, an important historical site in the city.
The hotel will feature 77 rooms and suites. According to Shangri-La, the design will incorporate views of Nijō Castle’s Kita Ote-mon (Great North Gate), its gardens and the surrounding landscape.
The property takes its name from the pine (“Song”), which represents longevity and good fortune, and “Tei,” an invitation to feel at home. Together, the name reflects Shangri-La’s heritage and the hotel’s connection to Kyoto.
Shangri-La said Songtei Kyoto will draw on the character of Kyoto’s Edo-period residences while interpreting their design through a contemporary approach.
The hotel will also incorporate art, wellness, gastronomy and storytelling into its guest experiences.
Wellness and Dining
Songtei Kyoto will include a wellness area with a private spa, indoor and outdoor hot baths, an indoor pool and a gym.
Its culinary programme will cover several Asian dining concepts. These will include an all-day dining lounge, a Chinese fine-dining restaurant, a kappo-sushi counter and an intimate evening bar.
However, some facilities will open progressively before the property’s full unveiling in early 2027.
Shangri-La said further details, including room categories, culinary concepts and reservation information, will be announced in the coming months.
Second Shangri-La Signatures Property
Songtei Kyoto will be the second hotel under Shangri-La Signatures, Shangri-La Group’s ultra-luxury boutique collection.
The first property, The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou, opened in May 2025 on the shores of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hangzhou, China.
Shangri-La said the Hangzhou property received international recognition during its first year, including being named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2026 and selected for the Prix Versailles’ The World’s Most Beautiful Hotels 2026.
The Shangri-La Signatures collection focuses on smaller properties with individual identities, local settings and a residential approach to hospitality.
Following the Kyoto opening, Shangri-La said the collection will expand further with future properties in other destinations.
Shangri-La Signatures Expands to Japan
Songtei Kyoto will bring the Shangri-La Signatures concept to Japan for the first time.
The hotel is positioned around its historical setting opposite Nijo Castle and the former residence of the Kyoto Shoshidai. Its opening will add a new boutique property to Kyoto’s luxury-hotel market while expanding Shangri-La’s presence in Japan.
The hotel is scheduled to begin welcoming guests from late 2026, with the full property expected to be unveiled in early 2027.
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