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The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou
Hangzhou, China · Shangri-La · High Luxury
The Silk Lakehouse opened in May 2025 on the site of the old Xiling Hotel on West Lake's shore, and it keeps a sculpture, Autumn in Yandang Mountain, that master artisan Zhou Jinyun made in 1971 to welcome President Nixon. It is the first Shangri-La Signatures hotel, with 68 rooms by Kokaistudios and interiors by Belgian designer Gert Voorjans, drawn from the idea of a Jiangnan silk merchant's mansion.
- 68 rooms
- Opened 2025
- Neighborhood: Xihu
- Architect: Kokaistudios
- Interiors: Gert Voorjans
About The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou
- The Silk Lakehouse opened in May 2025 with 68 rooms on the West Lake shore, on the site of the former Xiling Hotel, as the first Shangri-La Signatures hotel.
- A 1971 sculpture, Autumn in Yandang Mountain by Zhou Jinyun, was made for the Xiling Hotel to welcome President Nixon, and it was restored inside the new hotel.
- Kokaistudios designed the building, and Antwerp-based Gert Voorjans, collaborator of Axel Vervoordt, designed the interiors around a silk merchant's mansion.
- TIME listed it among the World's Greatest Places for 2026.
History
The Silk Lakehouse occupies the former site of the historic Xiling Hotel (opened 1962), later the East Wing of Shangri-La Hangzhou (opened 1986, the group's first in mainland China). In 2019, it underwent architectural renovation by Kokaistudios, transforming into the debut property of Shangri-La Signatures ultra-luxury brand. Inspired by traditional silk merchant residences, it blends Hangzhou's cultural heritage with modern luxury, opened in May 2025.
The setting
The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou sits within the protected West Lake Scenic Interest Area on Beishan Street, Xihu District, sharing the storied north-shore address of a cluster of landmark luxury hotels within half a kilometre. From here, the Su Causeway — the willow-lined Song Dynasty embankment built by poet Su Dongpo — is a 19-minute walk along the lakeshore, passing the pavilions and lotus coves that form the iconic Ten Scenes of West Lake. Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, whose image appears on China's one-yuan note, is reachable by a 19-minute lakeside stroll or a short ferry, reinforcing why this corner of Hangzhou's UNESCO World Heritage landscape commands the city's most sought-after luxury addresses.
Restaurants and bars
- Golden Silk — Restaurant · Chinese
- The Living Room by Alan Yu — Restaurant · Lakeside all-day bistro with international flair · Chef Alan Yu
- The Living Room Bar by SanYou — Bar · Innovative yellow wine-inspired cocktails and premium Asian
- Tea Room — Café · Chinese
Experiences
- The Art of The Hangzhou Fan — One-hour session at the century-old Ping Jia Fan Studio with master artisans, creating your own fan.
- Scents of The Song Dynasty — One-hour traditional incense making at Rui Long Incense Studio under Master Jiang, blending and appreciating fragrance.
- Seal Carving Legacy at Xiling — 1.5-hour visit to the Xiling Seal Art Society to view Ming and Qing seal collections and carve a personal seal.
- Copper Craft Discovery — One-hour copper hammering workshop at Jiangnan Copper House with master artisans, showing works by Master Zhu Bingren.
- West Lake by Boat — Private boat tour of West Lake at dawn or sunset with local lore and local delicacies, starting at Hang Fan Pier.
- Longjing Tea Experience — 4-5 hour tea experience from Hupao Spring to tea-picking above West Lake and pan-frying tea in a private studio.
Amenities
- indoor pool
- fitness center
- Sky Garden rooftop
- Bryte smart mattresses
- Personal Host service
- cultural workshops (fan making, incense, seal carving)
- tea ceremonies
- wellness sessions
Awards
- TIME World's Greatest Places (2026)
- DestinAsian The Luxe List (2025)
- Asia's 50 Best Bars collaboration
- Michelin-starred & Black Pearl chefs
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