Best Design Hotels in China

On Kowloon’s waterfront lies this 65 storey skyscraper, housing 413 rooms and a superb wellness centre, Asaya Spa, with a huge range of holistic, therapeutic and aesthetic treatments. Guests arrive through a charming cobbled driveway, and cosy lobby, before heading to spacious rooms beautifully designed by Tony Chi – most of which have harbour views. The decor nods toward Hong Kong’s heritage, with more than a hint of 1930s Hollywood glamour thrown in. Rosewood’s art collection is impressive, with work from the likes of Damien Hirst on view. Asian, Western, Indian and steakhouse cuisine are available, as well as a delightful afternoon tea in The Butterfly Room.

Rising out of the Yangtze River and gazing far above Nanjing, the Jumeirah is the definition of opulence and modernity. Its rooms and suites are modern yet are made to sparkle with the addition of homages towards Nanjing’s heritage. The Jumeirah has its very own infinity pool which gazes out over the city. It is also home to its own fitness centre and spa. The Jumeirah has five different and luxurious restaurants to cater to every guest’s palate. Guests can choose to dine in Zhuo Xian, a decadent seafood restaurant on the hotel’s 41st floor or for those wanting a more casual experience, the Panorama restaurant offers a diverse international buffet-filled

The welcome at Four Seasons is an impressive one. As you enter the striking glass lobby with a birds’ eye view in this hotel’s skyscraper home, you know you’re in the presence of greatness. Situated close to the Canton Tower and Guangdong Museum. There are seven stylish restaurants and lounges including the Michelin-starred Yu Yue Heen, Catch, a seafood restaurant on the 100th floor and Kumoi for sushi, yakitori and teppanyaki. Meeting facilities and a business centre are available, as well as function suites for special events. And be sure to take a swim in the clouds at the hotel’s beautiful infinity pool.

The Park Hyatt is most suitable for corporate guests who need easy access to the financial district. It is conveniently located in Chaoyang, overlooking the Guomao intersection. The closest subway station is about five minutes away, which offers the option of Beijing’s world-class public transportation. The hotel has a selection of renovated guest rooms that come with concierge service. Guests have a choice of 221 contemporary rooms and 25 suites that are furnished beautifully with spa-like bathrooms, 400-thread count linen and Nespresso coffee machines. A grill restaurant on the 66th floor provides excellent dining experiences. The exemplary service and advanced facilities ensure a luxurious stay.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.