Best Urban Hotels in China

Next to the Canton Fair Complex and beside the Pearl River, is Shangri La. Set in 5,800 square metres of magical landscaped gardens with Koi Carp filled lotus ponds, the hotel houses 704 rooms and 26 serviced apartments. It’s ideal for those planning an extended stay with children, providing a huge outdoor pool, upscale play areas and seasonal family events. There’s also tennis courts, a fitness centre, an indoor pool, and Chi, a spa with 11 treatment rooms. Two of its six restaurants and bars, Summer Palace and Ribs, have won Michelin Plate Awards, while Wok Too Café offers 16 theatre-style interactive and international food stations. Head to the lobby bar after dinner for elegant live music and refined cocktails.

The lavish and elegant Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong is located on the upper floors of a 58-floor tower, giving stunning views of the city in all directions. The nearby Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, when lit up at night, makes the perfect backdrop to an evening spent at Flair, the highest rooftop bar in China. If that’s not to your taste, the hotel features two gorgeous restaurants, and the Aura Lounge and Jazz Bar serves delicious cocktails and more than 30 varieties of Rose Champagne.

Popular with business visitors since its inception in the nineties, this Conrad residence received a full makeover in 2010. Public areas are bright with an abundance of gilt, while rooms are sophisticated yet cosy. Choose your toiletries in advance via the brand’s concierge app and opt for a room with either a harbour or peak view. The outdoor terrace with poolside cabanas offers refreshment during tropical summer months, while indoors there’s a steam room, sauna and two treatment areas. The hotel has six eateries but is especially well-known locally for its weekday curry buffets and Italian Sunday brunch.

W Xi’an is the brand’s seventh hotel in Greater China and the largest W to open in the Asia Pacific. W Xi’an has 385 guest rooms furnished with a signature W bed, and featuring step-out balconies offering panoramas of Qu Jiang. Discover a culinary experience at their three dining venues, WEI, YEN and FU, that are designed to entertain and enlighten. Lounge away at WOOBAR with a wonderful cocktail selection, and get pampered and treat your body with a full fleet of practical functions, such as a foot bath or hair and scalp treatment, at AWAY SPA. Keep up your fitness routine at FIT or swim a few laps at our indoor pool, WET. The hotel offers all that you will need to make you feel right at home in Qu Jiang.

The Kempinski Hotel is the zenith of luxury and comfort, acting as a peaceful paradise just moments away from Nanjing’s bustling centre. Its 336 rooms and suites are modern and bathed in an abundance of natural light. Many of them also have exceptional views of Nanjing and the surrounding countryside. The Kempinski health club which has its own personal trainers is the perfect place to work out after a day of exploring Nanjing and their Serene Spa offers some of the best spa treatments to be found anywhere in Nanjing. The Kempinski is home to three exquisite restaurants including the Local Palate, a buffet restaurant, and the Jin Kai Lou, a fine dining restaurant which specialises in local classics.

299 guest rooms at the Hyatt Regency Tianjin East come with soundproofed windows, Nespresso machines, Pharmacopia bath products and high-speed internet access, some have real flame fires. The interiors combine modern and traditional Chinese decor with pops of vibrant yellow, alongside taupe and leaf-green hues. Contemporary sculptures from the ‘Tai Chi White Series’ by the renowned native artist Xie Aige add character and a local authenticity to the spaces. Dine in the Market Cafe with its open kitchen and adjacent patisserie; at Wok in the Garden, a huge indoor space filled with lush trees; and in The Lounge.

Conveniently located between Old Taipa and Coloane, adjacent to the Galaxy International Convention Center and Galaxy Arena, Andaz Macau is designed to offer guests easy access to both the city’s cultural attractions and the luxury amenities within Galaxy Macau, the city’s award-winning shopping and entertainment complex. With over 700 rooms inspired by local art, culture, and architecture, the hotel immerses guests in “real Macau” through a blend of traditional and modern elements. Highlight features include the “Macau Steps,” a unique multi-sensory staircase that showcases over 100 videos that beautifully narrate the history of the city, which is complemented by a collection of art and antiques showcasing the city’s rich culture. Guests can also enjoy excellent amenities including wellness facilities, a heated swimming pool and a 24-hour fitness centre.  The Andaz Lounge is the social hub whilst a trio of culinary venues serve an array of Chinese, Portuguese, and Western dishes, creative cocktails and a welcoming ambience.

If you want a hotel that offers the best of Beijing’s nightlife, The Opposite House is one of them. Situated at 11 Sanlitun Lu, the hotel allows guests unrestricted access to some of the top clubs and entertainment spots in the city. The Opposite House was one of the luxury accommodations to come out during the 2008 Olympics and has managed to maintain the same quality of service over the years. It is decorated in an authentic Japanese theme of wood and minimalism. Guests have a five-star restaurant that promises the best Chinese food.

The Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong is a chic, harbour-view hotel comprised of 542 bright rooms and suites with breathtaking views – most residences overlook Victoria Harbour. The hotel’s idyllic central location facilitates an authentic experience filled with shopping and sightseeing. Savour international flavours and delicacies in any of Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong’s 11 upscale bars and restaurants – or enjoy first-class cuisine from the comfort of your room thanks to 24-hour room service. Take in mesmerising views from the 50-metre, heated swimming pool located on the 11th floor. Opt to energise your stay at the state-of-the-art fitness centre which is open 24 hours per day. The lush Plateau Spa invites guests to take time to relax in tranquil surroundings.

The fabulous Fairmont Peace Hotel combines Art Deco glamour with up-to-the-minute indulgence. Located in a prime spot right on Nanjing Road, China’s most famous shopping street, it’s an ideal base from which to explore the variety and excitement of Shanghai. Choose from six high-quality restaurants and lounges, including the ninth-floor terrace with unparalleled views of the city, and when it’s time to retire for the night, enjoy luxurious accommodations that have seen almost a century of history.

Hotel Stage, Hong Kong offers business travellers and families alike a variety of contemporary, chic guestrooms and suites to suit individual needs. Each of the 97 spacious rooms are fitted with expansive windows overlooking the hotel’s stunning surroundings and there is an option of an East-facing room to provide guests with unbeatable vistas of a Hong Kong sunrise. This luxury hotel is situated in the commercial district of Kowloon, surrounded by beautiful neighbourhoods, and is made truly unique by its cultural bookshop and gorgeous art gallery. Guests can choose to dine at the all-day Kitchen Savvy or relax in the basement Muse Wine Bar. This hotel offers facilities for hosting business events, functions, and weddings for up to 200 guests. This modern, easily accessible hotel is situated a 3-minute walk from Jordan MTR Station which makes exploring the surrounding areas, and further afield, convenient.

Part of the West Lake UNESCO site, this authentic shikumen brick-built mansion is an homage to its original era, yet very relevant in the 21st-century. Wooden shutters, Art Deco ornaments, furniture handpicked from local craftsmen and Chinese umbrellas for shade in the ground floor garden all a one-of-a-kind personality to this historic monument. Guests can stay in bedrooms, suites, villas, or townhouses, with up to four bedrooms. Le Lotus is the Chaptel Hangzhou’s gourmet restaurant, with Chef Jack Wang at the helm. And the plant-filled roof terrace is a charming setting for a nightcap.