Best Urban Hotels in China

Relatively intimate with 98 rooms and 13 suites, this Asian chain hotel is found in the heart of the business district, conveniently placed for work travellers. The cutting edge design reimagined by WANG during a 2019 refurb, is subdued but arty. The serene bedrooms contain some of the biggest bathrooms you’ll find – rain showers and huge circular tubs make it feel like your own mini spa. But there’s a thirteen room spa too, with an indoor pool. Healthy food (with a focus on less dairy, additives, sugar and salt) is found at the Five-Star French-Japanese restaurant under the direction of chef Richard Ekkebus. And a 25 seater speakeasy bar has been created in collaboration with popular New York spot PDT (Please Don’t Tell), welcoming guests via a vintage phone booth.

The PuLi Hotel and Spa is located in the heart of Shanghai for ease and convenience, but its luxurious facilities and urban resort vibe means that you’ll still feel like you’re getting away from it all. Take advantage of the generous and comfortable rooms, Michelin-starred restaurant, 24-hour butler service and state-of-the-art health club, including a stunning infinity pool with a view of Jing’An Park, for ultimate relaxation.

Perched on Victoria Harbour, is the magnificent Four Seasons, a chain known for its service standards and incredible dining. Graced with enormous large-scale picture windows, contemporary gleaming surfaces and glamorous decor, it’s no wonder this establishment attracts the rich and famous. Choose from a Chinese or Western-style room and upgrade to the Executive Club for access to a lounge with a wraparound balcony and unlimited free drinks. Sample the fare in two Michelin-starred eateries (the Cantonese Lung King Heen and French restaurant Caprice) or enjoy a lighter meal in Sushi Saito. There’s also a lovely spa for some ‘me time’.

If you’re looking for five-star luxury of the highest order, you need go no further than this gem, situated just two kilometres from the airport and eight from the Macau Tower. Guests who have spent enough in the casino can browse the art gallery, make use of the gym, spa and outdoor pool, or travel on the cable car. Twelve restaurants and cafés, a cocktail bar, a dancing fountain and meeting rooms complete the facilities at the Wynn Palace Macau, while spacious bedrooms with full-length windows boast every amenity, and upgrades include suites, butler service and in-room massages.

One of the most tastefully decorated hotels in the region with its warm browns and Chinese touches. Each piece of furniture and ornamental pieces were handpicked to give the hotel a unique style. Books and art pieces in the hotel rooms and public spaces add to the personality of the place. The service is impeccable with a staff that is big on personalisation. Repeat guests enjoy exclusive care, including tailored extras. Guest facilities include the spa, Sense, a steam room and fitness centre, among others. The hotel’s location in the CBD makes it ideal for business guests. South-facing rooms get the towering view of some of Beijing’s tallest buildings.

Overlooking one of the most iconic skylines in the world and commanding an unrivalled position on Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour sits the Regent Hong Kong, a legendary hotel that was reawakened in 2023. With 497 guest rooms and suites, six destination dining venues, a rooftop pool terrace and a luxurious club lounge exclusively for suite guests. The Regent Hong Kong has been completely transformed under the direction of Chi Wing Lo whose design approach of using tactile materials and layered lighting has created a calm counterpoint to the dynamic metropolitan outside, ushering in a new era of contemporary luxury for the city.

Stay in Guangzhou’s tallest building, known as the ‘Mansion in the Sky’. Taking the top 39 floors of the 108-story CTF Finance Centre designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, the Rosewood reaches a height of 530 metres. The interiors, by Toronto-based Yabu Pushelberg, are deeply stylish, featuring innovative installations by Chinese artists. The country’s ancient crafts are reflected with vermillion-red lacquered doors in the lobby, silkscreens in the Patina Living Room, wood-and-bronze etched mirrors and gold-leaf walls in the Grand Ballroom, lanterns by the pool, terracotta tiled exteriors and tea sets in the 251 rooms and 355 residences. The hotel also houses the region’s largest two-floor spa and fitness centre, has seven terraces, a courtyard, expansive gardens, a spa, and five places to eat and drink (including Chinese comfort food and a hibachi grill).

The award-winning Peninsula Shanghai holds the distinction of being the only new building on the Bund on the past 70 years. Combining retro style with modern amenities, it showcases the best Shanghai has to offer. Choose between two Michelin-starred restaurants as well as bars, lounges and 24-hour in-room dining for ultimate comfort, and be sure to take a dip in the stunningly beautiful Art Deco swimming pool.

This beautiful boutique hotel is one of the most sophisticated establishments in the whole of Chengdu. This 21st-century Chinese hotel combines contemporary touches with classic cultural elements to provide the perfect balance. Guests are invited to enjoy al fresco dining in the 10o0 year old courtyard, while there is also an indoor swimming pool as well as a large spa and fitness centre to make use of. There are eight different types of rooms to choose from and those who want to splash out are sure to love the Studio 90 suite with its enormous balcony, free maxi-bar and very comfortable furnishings.

Also in the Futian Central Business District, The Langham exudes European elegance, with its blend of contemporary style and classic luxury. Each accommodation option offers spacious layouts, premium bedding, and state-of-the-art technology. Be sure to dine in T’ang Court, the hotel’s signature restaurant, which holds three coveted Michelin stars and showcases exquisite Cantonese cuisine prepared by some of the country’s best chefs. Or dine in Silk, where you can sample international dishes with a contemporary twist and Duke’s, for a selection of premium wines, spirits, and cocktails. The Chuan Spa at The Langham, Shenzhen offers a holistic wellness experience inspired by traditional Chinese medicine and an indoor pool.

Boasting beautiful interiors and cutting-edge style from top Asian designer Andre Fu, the mountain and harbour views here are to die for. Found on Pacific Place above a glitzy mall, there are 117 rooms and suites, decorated in a warming, soothing style with bamboo, limestone and woollen textiles. There’s an eco-friendly vibe with hybrid hire cars for hire, paperless checkouts and organic food. The in-house restaurant, Café Gray Deluxe is renowned, as is its chic adjacent bar, popular with well-heeled business people.

A Niccolo hotel, The Murray offers a greener outlook than many of Hong Kong’s others – set apart from the ocean of skyscrapers, beside a lush park. Plush mid-century interiors have been created by architects Foster + Partners, reflecting the authentic 1960s exterior. 336 rooms include suites with freestanding tubs and you can even bring a small dog along with you. The decadent spa offers coveted and innovative treatments from Dr Barbara Sturm, who herself treats the international glitterati with age defying facials. Book an appointment with the hotel’s nutritionist, who can tailor a menu for your stay, customise a diet plan and carry out body tests.