Shangri-La Group has launched a new ultra-luxury brand called Shangri-La Signatures, beginning with The Silk Lakehouse in Hangzhou, China.
This new brand aims to offer guests the feeling of a refined private residence. Shangri-La will collaborate with top designers and local artisans to create immersive experiences focused on wellness, storytelling, and exceptional cuisine.
The Silk Lakehouse sits on the scenic shores of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel features 68 guest rooms inspired by the traditional Jiangnan merchant’s house. Belgian designer Gert Voorjans teamed up with Spain’s Lazaro Rosa-Violan to create a sophisticated blend of Eastern heritage and contemporary style.
The location was previously home to the Xiling Hotel, a familiar site to many state officials over the years. The new hotel preserves important historical artifacts, including the sculpture “Autumn in Yandang Mountain Ou,” originally made to welcome former U.S. President Richard Nixon.
For Shangri-La Group, The Silk Lakehouse reflects a deep commitment to this region of mainland China, where the company first opened a hotel in 1984. Today, Shangri-La’s four brands—Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Kerry Hotels, JEN, and Traders—continue to grow across China and beyond.
At the end of 2024, Shangri-La expanded into Cambodia with a new 303-room hotel in Phnom Penh. This property offers spectacular views of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Tonle Bassac rivers.
Looking ahead, Shangri-La has several new openings planned. Soon, it will launch a dual-branded hotel project—Shangri-La Hotel and Traders Hotel—at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. In Kunming, a new Shangri-La hotel is nearing completion in a mixed-use complex that also includes apartments and a shopping mall.
In 2026, the group will open the Shangri-La Hotel Bahrain Marina. This waterfront property will feature 304 rooms, including suites and villas with one to three bedrooms.
These launches underline Shangri-La’s ongoing ambition to expand its luxury footprint and deliver unique, culturally rich experiences to travelers worldwide.
