Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La Signatures to Open in the Second Half of 2026 With 77 Rooms Opposite Nijo Castle; Full Opening Planned for Early 2027
Shangri-La Group has announced plans to open Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La Signatures in Kyoto as part of its ultra-luxury Shangri-La Signatures collection. The 77-room hotel will stand opposite Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is scheduled to open in the second half of 2026, with selected facilities opening progressively ahead of the full opening in early 2027.
Entrance area (Image courtesy of Shangri-La Group)
77-Room Songtei Kyoto to Open Opposite Nijo Castle in the Second Half of 2026
Songtei Kyoto will be the second hotel in the Shangri-La Signatures collection. It occupies the former site of the Kyoto shoshidai’s residence. The hotel will offer a total of 77 guest rooms and suites, with a design that respects the site’s history while incorporating views of Nijo Castle’s North Main Gate, gardens and surrounding scenery.
The name “Songtei” combines “Song,” meaning pine, a symbol of longevity and good fortune, with “Tei,” meaning residence, expressing the wish for guests to feel at home. The hotel says it will offer experiences that connect guests with Kyoto’s history and culture through art, wellness, food and storytelling.
Chinese restaurant (Image courtesy of Shangri-La Group)
Plans Include a Private Spa, Indoor Pool, Chinese Dining and Kappo Cuisine
The wellness area is planned to include a private spa, indoor and outdoor hot baths, an indoor pool and a gym. Planned dining venues include an all-day dining lounge, a Chinese fine dining restaurant, a kappo and sushi counter, and an evening bar.
Following the hotel’s opening in the second half of 2026, selected facilities will open progressively, with the full opening planned for early 2027.
Guest room (Image courtesy of Shangri-La Group)
Suite living area (Image courtesy of Shangri-La Group)
Kyoto to Welcome the Second Shangri-La Signatures Hotel
Shangri-La Signatures is Shangri-La Group’s collection of ultra-luxury boutique hotels.
The Collection Debuted With The Silk Lakehouse in Hangzhou, China
The collection’s first hotel, The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou, opened in Hangzhou, China, in May 2025. It stands on the shores of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2026, it was named among U.S. magazine TIME’s “World’s Greatest Places 2026” and Prix Versailles’ “The World’s Most Beautiful Hotels 2026.”
Songtei Kyoto will follow as the collection’s second hotel.
Full Opening Planned for Early 2027; Room and Reservation Details to Follow
Songtei Kyoto is scheduled to open in the second half of 2026, with the full opening planned for early 2027. Further details, including room categories, dining concepts and reservation information, will be announced progressively over the coming months.
