The new ultra-luxury brand from Shangri-La Group, Shangri-La Signatures, has officially launched with the grand opening of its first property The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou in China.
Shangri-La Signatures reimagines luxury through the “lens of cultural authenticity and heartfelt human connection.” The brand’s properties are envisioned as elegant private residences, brought to life through collaborations with world-renowned designers and artisans. They are designed to offer immersive experiences in art, wellness, cuisine, and cultural storytelling.
Set on the shores of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Silk Lakehouse “ushers in a new era of Asian hospitality”, where cultural heritage, artistry, and nature converge. The hotel features 68 luxurious rooms and suites offering views of West Lake or private gardens. Each space is designed to evoke a “sense of home,” with modern comforts such as AI-responsive mattresses and heated towel systems. The Personal Host Programme offers guests tailor-made experiences like tea ceremonies, incense making, and silk weaving to “foster meaningful connections” to the city’s rich heritage and artistry.
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Dining highlights include The Living Room by Alan Yu, which offers “a contemporary East-meets-West experience,” and Golden Silk, which pays homage to regional cuisine. Guests can also explore local teas at the Tea House, or enjoy baijiu-based cocktails at The Living Room by SANYOU, in partnership with the acclaimed bar.
The Silk Lakehouse draws on the heritage of a Jiangnan silk merchant’s residence, with interiors crafted by Belgian designer Gert Voorjans and Spanish luminary Lázaro Rosa-Violán. The hotel blends Eastern tradition and “contemporary sophistication,” featuring a dramatic crystal installation of 1,930 hand-blown Murano glass pieces that “evoke the gentle movement of West Lake’s willow branches.”
Built on the historic site of the former Xiling Hotel — once a prestigious venue for state dignitaries — The Silk Lakehouse preserves key cultural artifacts. Among them is the Autumn in Yandang Mountain Ou sculpture by Zhou Jinyun, originally commissioned to welcome President Richard Nixon in 1971. The restoration reflects Shangri-La’s enduring connection to Hangzhou, where the Group opened its first hotel in Mainland China in 1984.
