Best Design Hotels in China

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

On the tranquil shores of UNESCO-listed West Lake, The Silk Lakehouse brings together heritage, artistry and nature. With just 68 rooms and suites, the hotel feels intimate, its design inspired by the elegance of a Jiangnan silk merchant’s residence. Interiors by Gert Voorjans and Lázaro Rosa-Violán layer cultural detail with contemporary comfort, from Murano glass chandeliers evoking willow branches to freestanding bathtubs and AI-responsive mattresses.

Gastronomy is central to the experience: Michelin-starred chef Alan Yu leads The Living Room, Golden Silk revisits Hangzhou classics, the Tea Room honours Song Dynasty traditions, and cocktails at The Living Room by SANYOU celebrate regional spirits. Wellness flows through every detail, with a grotto-style indoor pool, Tai Chi at sunrise and guided mindfulness rituals. The Personal Host Programme creates a bridge to the city, offering experiences such as silk weaving, incense ceremonies and fan making, ensuring a stay deeply rooted in Hangzhou’s cultural soul.

One of the many reasons to book a suite here is The St. Regis Butler Service, a hallmark of the brand, that takes care of unpacking and packing, tea and coffee delivery, garment pressing and much more. Guests of St Regis can enjoy a fine-dining experience at Social, with Mediterranean and Asian dishes; sip on wines and spirits at Decanter; take afternoon tea in the Drawing Room and sundowners on the rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city. There’s also a business centre, a spa and an indoor swimming pool.

Classic luxury is always on tap at the Ritz. This one is located in Kowloon, on floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre. There are Michelin-starred restaurants, two bars and a dedicated caviar bar. Don’t miss the spa and indoor infinity pool – a swim here is an ethereal experience, with a mirrored ceiling and an LED display wall. The Ritz is a great option for parents, with ample facilities – the staff will even create indoor night safari adventures to keep little ones entertained after dark. And for those wishing to party, head to the Ozone rooftop lounge, with Asian tapas, cocktails and a DJ.

Located high above the city in the Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest skyscraper and the second tallest in the world, the hotel spans the 84th to 105th floors and also occupies the 120th floor. It boasts 165 luxurious rooms and suites, which rank among the highest and most spacious in the city. The stunning interiors feature lacquer, glaze, and enamel finishes complemented by metal, crystal, and mosaic details generating an artistic and creative ambience. Guests can relax at the Reiki spam work up a sweat in the fitness centre and indulge in world-class dining experiences at the hotel’s seven restaurants and bars, each offering a unique ambiance and panoramic views of Shanghai.

Owned by the Marriot group, this funky upscale hotel chain is beloved by the trendy jet set. Found above the huge Elements Mall, it’s home to many a glitzy rooftop pool party. But it’s perhaps best known for its epic boozy Sunday brunch buffet, so large, diners are furnished with a map on arrival. Here the champagne flows, while endless fine food stations ensure you’re truly spoilt for choice. There are 393 rooms – some with glimpses of the harbour – decorated in notably calmer tones than the public areas, two restaurants, a cocktail bar and the Bliss Spa.