Best Urban Hotels in China

Established in the early nineties, this whopping 565 room property is a tour de force in Hong Kong. Like The Upper House, it’s part of the Pacific Mall complex and blends Oriental with European style. There are 779 Austrian and Venetian chandeliers, a 16 storey silk painting, quirky bubble lifts and many hundreds of original artworks adorning the walls. There is an outdoor pool and whirlpool, as well as indoor spa facilities, yoga and a gym. As you may expect from such a large hotel, there are many food and drink options – from fine cuisine to buffets and a delectable patisserie.

Located inside the city walls, within walking distance of the historic Bell and Drum towers and the Moslem Street adjacent to modern shopping and entertainment areas, the hotel has the best location for guests to experience the picturesque Xian. This legendary hotel was established in 1953 and boasts a beautifully landscaped garden for guests to unwind in, while the Sun Terrace is the perfect place to dine in style on a wide selection of gourmet treats. The Prestige Suite provides guests with uncompromising luxury as well as stunning views of the garden from their large picture windows, while each guest room features a sumptuous king sized bed and plenty of luxury comforts.

The Shangri-La brand feels most at home here in Tianjin, where local culture and traditions go hand in hand with the group’s signature hospitality. The central property enjoys views of the Haihe River, with 304 rooms and suites and 79 serviced apartments. In the lobby you can relax with a drink and admire a curated collection of contemporary Chinese art; in the Shang Palace restaurant you can sample authentic Cantonese food as well as international buffet stations; and you can hit the shops in the adjoining Riverview Place mall. Guests also have access to Café Yun, a health club and Chi, the spa.

Experience the future at this newly-opened innovative Morpheus hotel, named after the Greek god of dreams. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architecture as the first free-form high building supported by a skeleton steel sculpture, it challenges the need for the clutter of internal walls. A bridge connects two towers, while high speed lifts whisk guests upwards for panoramas of both the interior and the skyline. The Morpheus Macau lives up to its other title as the City of Dreams with high-class facilities that include an art collection, restaurants with top chefs, and a rooftop sky pool, plus rooms, suites, villas and upgrades offering every amenity.

In 2016, the former Palace Hotel in Beijing went through a lavish refit and turned into the Peninsula, an all-suite five-star accommodation. It got a first-rate spa that focuses on Chinese wellness, an art gallery and shopping arcade, among other extravagant amenities. The renovation included elegant interiors of marble floors, high ceilings and ivory walls that give the hotel a modern style. The technology throughout the hotel is operated from tablets, making systems very convenient. Guests can dine at the Huang Ting Chinese restaurant, which serves some of the city’s best Cantonese food. The family-friendly hotel is located in the shopping and business district of Wangfujing.

Towering 63 stories above the mighty Nanjing, the Ritz-Carlton is the pinnacle of luxury and a marvel of modern engineering. The Hotel’s rooms are designed to showcase Nanjing’s heritage and modern growth. They seamlessly blend modern luxuries with tranquillity and many of them have commanding views of the city’s skyline. The Ritz-Carlton is home to a spa, fitness centre, infinity pool and club where guests’ every need is met by a dedicated concierge team. The Ritz-Carlton is also home to six of the city’s best restaurants including the Lavandula which fuses sophisticated French cooking with an excentric Chinese flair. All the restaurants including the exquisite Pin Ning Fu restaurant which serves local cuisine, and the exceptional Flair bar have stunning views of the city’s skyline.

Located on Tsim Sha Tsui East’s waterfront, guests are greeted in Shangri La’s lobby by an indoor three-tier fountain, oversized glittering crystal chandeliers, stunning art and – in the evening – live music. This Asian brand offers some of the largest rooms in the city, in traditional classical style. There are seven places to eat and drink, with an opulent buffet breakfast served at Cafe Kool. Head to the basement and you’ll discover a modern fitness suite, overlooking a plunge pool.

If space is at the top of your wishlist, book one of the Mandarin Oriental’s 293 rooms and suites. Its largest offers two bedrooms, a dining room, study, walk-in wardrobe, dressing chamber, epic views and round the clock butler service. The interiors by Tony Chi are sophisticated, contemporary and glamorous, with a mixture of deep rich colours and soothing neutrals. Chef Fei creates traditional Cantonese cuisine at Jiang, while fresh grilled seafood takes centre stage at Ebony. Situated in the vibrant downtown area of Tian He and with a renowned wellness centre and stunning outdoor pool, it’s possible to combine relaxation with excitement at this well-known five-star chain.

Located in the historic Dazhongli area, the Upper House Shanghai is one of Shanghai’s coolest and most modern hotels. The hotel was designed by renowned architect Piero Lissoni and seamlessly blends Shanghai’s modernity with a historic and dramatic flair. The hotel’s rooms and suites are tranquil and minimalist, they feature large beds, deep baths, and Chinese artwork. The Middle house is home to its own tranquil Spa, which is complete with bamboo corridors and glowing hallways, it also boasts its own gym, yoga studio and swimming pool. The hotel is home to the Frasca, a traditional Italian trattoria, and Sui Tang Li which serves exceptional dim sum and classic Chinese dishes. The hotel also boasts the Sui Tang Shang, a secret cocktail bar, and Café Gray, a sophisticated international restaurant and bar.

The next Marriot hotel on our list is found in Wan Chai and caused a stir with its grand unveiling in 2019. With lashings of marble, muted tones, vintage deco lamps and high ceilinged lobbies, there’s a distinct sanctuary vibe about the 129-roomed St Regis. By night, you can swim under the stars, dine to the sound of jazz musicians, feast on French cuisine from chef Olivier Elzer, or try chef Hung Chi-Kwong’s Cantonese plates. An outdoor terrace with a calming water feature offers further feelings of tranquillity, contrasting the bustle on its doorstep. And be sure to try its own take on a Bloody Mary, the Canto Mary, crafted with tangerine peel and whisky (or one of the bar’s 800 wines and 100 champagnes).

With a reputation for being the most luxurious hotel in the whole of Chengdu, this is the perfect place to stay for people who have a love for the finer things in life. Everything here has been created on a grand scale from the huge guestrooms and suites to the picture windows and rooftop bar. Many of the suites come complete with huge balconies that provide stunning city views. Unwinding in the steam room is an experience that should not be missed, while the onsite spa is an excellent place to indulge in a little pampering that is provided by exclusive green tea treatments. People who enjoy messing about in the water will love the indoor swimming pool as it plays underwater music for them to groove to.

The modern glass-fronted city skyscrapers of the GCL Plaza commercial complex (home to this international hotel), contrast the timeless serenity of the adjacent Jinji Lake. Just four years old, this property has direct access to a shopping mall and is within walking distance of attractions. There are 3,000 square metres of meeting space onsite, 303 bedrooms and 16 serviced residences, with lake views framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and mood lighting for added ambience. Higher-level room categories enjoy membership of the Horizon Club Lounge where breakfast, refreshments and cocktails are served daily. There’s also a spa, an indoor pool, a yoga room, a restaurant and bars in-house.