NEWS
Shangri-La Launches Ultra-Luxury Brand with The Silk Lakehouse, Hangzhou
Shangri-La Group has unveiled a transformative chapter in its storied history with the launch of Shangri-La Signatures, a new ultra-luxury brand that redefines Asian hospitality through cultural authenticity, design mastery, and emotional storytelling. The debut property, The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou, officially opens on the shores of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a deeply curated and intimate luxury experience grounded in Chinese heritage and artistry.
This new brand represents Shangri-La’s evolution, moving beyond traditional luxury to a more intentional, soulful, and immersive model of hospitality. With Shangri-La Signatures, each property is imagined as a refined private residence, built through collaborations with world-renowned designers and local artisans to reflect the region’s identity and spirit.
The Silk Lakehouse, designed by Gert Voorjans and Lázaro Rosa-Violán, is inspired by the historical aesthetic of a Jiangnan silk merchant’s home. Architectural and interior elements seamlessly integrate with the lake’s poetic landscape, most notably a lobby installation of 1,930 hand-blown Murano glass pieces, evoking the gentle sway of willow branches. The hotel stands on the site of the former Xiling Hotel, once a retreat for state dignitaries. It retains heritage elements like the Autumn in Yandang Mountain Ou sculpture by Zhou Jinyun, a cultural artefact originally commissioned for President Nixon’s visit in 1971.
Comprising 68 guest rooms and suites, The Silk Lakehouse offers expansive views of West Lake or private gardens, with interiors that blend freestanding bathtubs, AI-enhanced bedding, and heated towel systems to ensure both technological comfort and serene elegance. Guests benefit from a Personal Host Programme, offering tailor-made cultural itineraries such as tea ceremonies, incense making, and silk weaving, designed to foster deep local connections.
Wellness is woven into the stay with a grotto-style indoor pool, sunrise Tai Chi, and in-room mindfulness rituals including guided meditation and breathwork. The emphasis is on holistic rejuvenation of mind and body.
The culinary offering is equally immersive, led by Michelin-starred Chef Alan Yu at The Living Room by Alan Yu, where European technique meets local ingredients. Golden Silk celebrates regional Chinese cuisine from Hangzhou, Wenzhou, and Ningbo, while the Tea House offers traditional Song Dynasty-style tastings of Longjing and Jiuqu Hongmei teas. The Living Room by SANYOU, created with Asia’s 50 Best Bars laureate San You, elevates the bar experience with regional spirits and baijiu cocktails.
The launch of The Silk Lakehouse not only marks Shangri-La’s return to Hangzhou, where the group opened its first Mainland China hotel in 1984, but also sets a new benchmark for luxury travel in Asia — one rooted in meaning, memory, and human connection.
Source: Shangri-La Group
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