Christopher Clark joins Shangri-La Hotels Japan K.K. as Opening General Manager to lead the opening of Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La Signatures. The 77-room property, located right next to Nijo Castle, is due to open its doors in late 2026. It is the second hotel in the Shangri-La Signatures collection, a portfolio of heritage-rich properties carefully reimagined, launched with the Silk Lakehouse in Hangzhou.
The project was first announced back in 2021 as part of a joint venture between Shangri-La Group and Samty Group, for a luxury hotel adjacent to this UNESCO World Heritage site. The name Songtei (松邸) combines 松 (song), the pine tree, a symbol of longevity in Chinese and Japanese tradition, and 邸 (tei), which denotes an elegant residence in Japan. This dual reference pays tribute to the origins of the Shangri-La group while embodying Kyoto’s refined character.
Christopher Clark brings 27 years in luxury hospitality with The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott, including 16 hotel openings across Asia and the Americas. He previously led The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, contributed to launching the JW brand in Japan with the opening of the JW Marriott Nara, and then took over as General Manager of the JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo, the brand’s flagship property in the country. He leaves that role following the property’s opening in October 2025, with General Manager duties since entrusted to Jakob Helgen.
His career has also included leading The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu, The Ritz-Carlton Seoul and The Ritz-Carlton Bali, with earlier stints at Hilton. The founding leadership team for Songtei Kyoto is currently being assembled, covering Rooms, Food & Beverage, Sales and Spa functions.
At a Glance
Songtei Kyoto, Shangri-La Signatures
New Opening General Manager: Christopher Clark
Location: adjacent to Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan
Property size: 77 rooms
Expected opening: late 2026
Collection: second hotel in Shangri-La Signatures
Christopher Clark’s background: 27 years with The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott, 16+ hotel openings across Asia and the Americas
Most recent role: General Manager, JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo (2024–2026)
