Best Luxury Hotels in China

The Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou, is a peaceful urban sanctuary located on a private 22-acre island in Jinji Lake. Despite its private location, the bustling city centre is easily reached. The hotel features 199 guest rooms and suites, plus 11 villas with private courtyards, blending comfort and privacy – to the high standard Four Seasons is known for. The expansive gardens and dramatic Jinji Lake views are the backdrop to a range of first-class amenities including a spa, wellness programs, outdoor pools, and excellent social spaces designed for children and teens. Culinary experiences at the hotel are as varied as they are exquisite, with the signature Chinese restaurant, Jin Jing Ge, offering Jiangnan cuisine by renowned chefs. An all-day dining restaurant, Yun He, presents a pan-Chinese dining experience, while The Lounge and Bar serve classic afternoon tea and cocktails. Seasonal offerings include a poolside grill and bar with Italian cuisine, complementing the serene lake views and tranquil atmosphere.

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.

This family-friendly hotel offers a kids club, with activities happening onsite and locally, plus children under six eat free of charge at the hotel’s Seasons Café. The health centre incorporates a gym and 50-metre indoor pool. While the M-SPA offers treatments inspired by China’s lush forests, fresh streams and natural fragrances. Dine in the Wang Hu Ge Chinese Restaurant, specialising in dishes from Huaiyang and Suzhou; grab a drink or a bite in the Lobby Lounge and Deli with 360-degree views of Dushu Lake; and eat alfresco to the sounds of live music, in the Kempinski’s authentic German microbrewery.

Rising 27 storeys, this curved masterpiece accommodates 427 contemporary guestrooms, five restaurants and lounges, a luxury spa, a jacuzzi, a sun deck and an indoor infinity pool overlooking Jinji Lake and the striking Suzhou skyline. Rooms begin at 45 square metres, going up to 71 square metres, some offering 270-degree views over the water. Guests can benefit from an on-demand robot service, accessed via an in-room QR code, delivering everything from room service to treats for kids. This IHG hotel has three eateries; JING All Day Dining Restaurant, Riva Mediterranean Steakhouse and XIU Chinese Restaurant.

Located at the pinnacle of the towering Shenwan Huiyun Center, Shangri-La Nanshan, occupies the top 13 floors of the Shenwan Huiyun Center, and its 272 elegant rooms provide stunning views of Shenzhen Bay and the Hong Kong skyline, the verdant Overseas Chinese Town Wetland Park. The hotel features a Wellness Club on the 77th floor which provides a tranquil retreat for fitness and relaxation. Guests can enjoy a superb range of dining options including Café 66 for all-day dining, Summer Palace, which specialises in fine Cantonese and modern Chaoshan cuisine and the 360°Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents contemporary style, creative cocktails and panoramic views. The hotel is conveniently located near three metro lines (Lines 2, 9, and 11) and just two metro stops away from the Futian High-Speed Train Station and a short 35-minute drive from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. Top attractions like Shenzhen Bay Park, Window of the World, and He Xiang Ning Art Museum are also within easy reach of this stunning hotel.

Expect bold carpets, hand-painted cloud murals and bathrooms with mirrors that magic into TVs, at the Four Seasons. You’ll find three dining options: Foo for Asian food; Zhuo Yue Xuan specialising in modern Cantonese; and the Yi Bar and Lounge where you can get a lighter bite and a daily creative afternoon tea service. In the spa, you’ll encounter a blend of ancient practices and modern technology. And there are green areas throughout to give that sense of zen. A real highlight at this hotel is the outdoor pool and deck where you can take tai chi and yoga classes.

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.

With a prime location in the Futian Central Business District, The Ritz-Carlton provides easy access to shops, cultural attractions, public transport and eateries. Although there are some excellent restaurants onsite: Xingli for authentic Cantonese cuisine; Paletto Italian Restaurant, and The Lounge for the hotel group’s iconic afternoon tea experience and light refreshments. Treatments at the spa have been inspired by traditional Chinese medicine as well as Western techniques, plus there’s an indoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre with personal trainers on hand to offer guidance if required.

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.

Located in the same neighbourhood as The Langham and The Ritz-Carlton, the InterContinental is just a five-minute walk from the subway station. It’s one of the few in the city to have an outdoor pool, with loungers, parasols and a pool bar, there’s also an indoor pool alongside the spa. It has three restaurants; Xiangyuan, Café Zen and the Japanese-style Riva. Guests can also enjoy drinks and live entertainment at the Lobby Lounge with a large array of whiskies. The decor here takes on a Spanish-inspired and modern style, with the exception of the Chinese-themed suite.

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.

Stay in the Heping district, beside the former residence of Cao Kun. This is the political and economic heart of Tianjin, making it a great option for business travellers, as well as those wishing to sightsee. The Ritz-Carlton has 277 rooms. Guests can relax and socialise in The lounge bar with cocktails and the group’s famed afternoon tea. For larger meals, the Victorian Lounge and Zhu Zang cater for a range of tastes. There’s an indoor pool, a sun terrace, a garden with a BBQ area, a spa and a tennis court at The Ritz-Carlton in Tianjin.