The Best New Hotels in China (2025) 

Across China, a new generation of hotels is redefining luxury through a closer relationship with their surroundings. Architecture and interiors draw from the landscape, creating spaces shaped by their setting rather than imposed upon it. Selected for their thoughtful design and long-term approach to stewardship, these hotels point to a contemporary direction in Chinese hospitality — one where cultural depth and a respect for local context matter as much as comfort.

Here is our curated selection of the best new hotels in China (2025).

Please note: Starting rates are approximate and based on publicly available pricing; actual rates vary by season, room type, and availability.

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan

Set along a sweeping curve of the Huangpu River, the Waldorf Astoria Qiantan draws on Shanghai’s evolving riverfront identity. Inspired by the form of a modern cruise ship, the hotel is designed to feel outward-facing and fluid, with interiors that unfold toward the water. Stone, glass, and layered greenery soften the scale of the building, balancing its architectural presence. Many rooms open onto balconies, while the highest suites feature outdoor soaking pools with expansive city views.

Dining at the Waldorf Astoria Qiantan reflects Shanghai’s long-standing role as a meeting point between local and international influences. Arame focuses on modern European cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, while Fu Cheng presents refined Fujian dishes under Michelin-starred chef Justin Yang. Peacock Alley transitions from daytime tea to an evening wine bar, serving as an all-day social space. With museums, galleries, and the West Bund close by, the hotel offers a sophisticated base for exploring Shanghai’s West Bund cultural district.

Rooms start from ~$420USD / night

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The St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai

At The St. Regis on the Bund, the brand’s heritage is reinterpreted through Shanghai’s Art Deco legacy. Interiors draw on the city’s historic façades, with geometric lines, brushed metals, and subtle references to the Bund’s golden-age architecture. Rooms and suites face the river, framing the contrast between Puxi’s colonial-era buildings and Pudong’s sleek skyline.

Dining further extends this sense of place. Menus move between refined Chinese cuisine and contemporary international dishes, while the Astor Bar bridges New York tradition with Shanghai craft — from locally inspired cocktails to décor shaped by the city’s design. In the wellness spaces, a serene pool and personalized treatments provide a calm counterpoint to the energy of the Bund.

Rooms start from ~$300USD / night

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The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou, Zhejiang

Set on the wooded north shore of West Lake, Shangri-La’s Silk Lakehouse sits within a landscape defined by the region’s tea culture, silk heritage, and historic garden design. Architecture references Jiangnan courtyard residences, with pavilions and water features linked by pathways that blur indoors and outdoors.

Guest rooms draw on materials associated with historic silk workshops and merchant homes, opening toward the lake or onto private gardens restored with native species, supporting conservation within the protected West Lake zone. On arrival, an aroma-stone room key infused with regional botanicals and a simple tea table set with West Lake tea introduce the property’s thoughtful, local approach.

In the public spaces, the lobby’s Crystal Willow installation echoes the willows along the water’s edge, while a grotto-style indoor pool offers a more secluded interior retreat. Wellness programs, including sunrise yoga, tai chi, and guided lake walks, encourage a slower pace attuned to the surroundings.

Rooms start from ~$479USD / night 

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YOUNCH Hotel Xi’an, Shaanxi

Cultural immersion anchors the experience at YOUNCH Xi’an, set directly beneath the ancient city wall. Guests can join hands-on workshops in papercutting, dough figurines, and ink rubbing — programs that support local artisans, several of whom come from families who have practiced their craft in Xi’an for generations. Morning wall walks, heritage-park runs, and tai chi at Baxian Temple bring the city’s everyday movements into the stay.

The property follows a courtyard layout, with low-rise buildings and planted pathways creating quiet pockets of space and direct views of the wall. A focus on smaller guest counts and a compact architectural footprint helps preserve historic sightlines around the fortifications. Rooms use a warm palette of stone, timber, and soft lighting, paired with carefully selected amenities such as Dyson dryers, Acqua di Parma products, and Smeg kettles with TWG teas. A 20-seat Chinese restaurant blends Xi’an and Cantonese influences, while the café-bar moves from slow morning coffee to cocktails inspired by stories from the city’s 13 dynasties.

Rooms start from ~$250USD / night 

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The St. Regis Shenzhen Bao’an, Guangdong

The St. Regis brings its signature polish to Shenzhen’s rapidly developing western waterfront, where the Bao’an district is emerging as a new center for culture and commerce. Rising above Qianhai Bay, the hotel brings together southern Guangdong craft traditions and the brand’s Old New York heritage.

Guest rooms open to wide views of the bay or skyline, with generous proportions and floor-to-ceiling windows that emphasize light and openness. Throughout the tower, building systems are designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce water consumption, reflecting Bao’an’s growing focus on sustainable coastal development.

Dining places an emphasis on Cantonese cuisine at Yan Ting, the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant, complemented by modern international menus elsewhere in the property. High-floor wellness spaces include a tranquil spa and an indoor lap pool wrapped in natural light, offering a calm place to pause above one of Shenzhen’s most dynamic innovation districts.

Rooms start from ~$280USD / night

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Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay, Guangdong

Set where forested hills meet the South China Sea, Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay follows the natural slope of Phoenix Bay. Terraced buildings preserve open coastal views while minimizing disruption to the hillside ecosystem, reflecting the group’s long-standing commitment to environmentally sensitive design. Interiors reference Lingnan water towns and maritime culture through shell-inlaid details, boat-shaped lighting, and woven motifs inspired by traditional fishing nets.

Many suites include private hot-spring pools or compact sea-facing pools set on sheltered terraces. Spa suites sit just above the shoreline, while the sea-facing gym and cliff-edge pool make full use of the coastal setting.

Dining spans five venues, ranging from southern Fujian–style Minnan cuisine to Cantonese dim sum, complemented by a cliffside bar overlooking the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge. The Banyan Tree Gallery extends the group’s support for regional craft communities, with pieces sourced from artisans along the southern coast.

Rooms start from ~$380USD / night

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Ahn Luh Dong’ao Island, Guangdong

Ahn Luh brings its nature-led design philosophy to Dong’ao Island in the Wanshan Archipelago, with low-rise timber and stone structures that follow the slope of the coastline and frame open views of the South China Sea. Buildings are terraced along the hillside, allowing native vegetation and rock formations to remain in place. Exterior materials mirror those found on the island, reducing visual impact and helping the resort settle naturally into its maritime setting.

Suites and villas function as private retreats, with shaded courtyards, garden atriums, and outdoor soaking pools that open toward the surrounding landscape. A forest-canopy bridge links the hotel and villa zones, while coastal pathways wind through areas of preserved vegetation. Dining highlights island seafood and Cantonese flavors, and the spa’s low-lying placement reinforces its role as a quiet, restorative space. With ferry access from Zhuhai and Hong Kong, the resort remains connected while retaining a sense of seclusion.

Rooms start from ~$270USD / night

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Songtsam Lodge Cizhong, Deqin, Yunnan

In the Lancang River valley, where vineyards have been cultivated since the 19th century, Songtsam’s Cizhong lodge sits within one of China’s most historic wine regions. The newly expanded property is the brand’s first winery-focused hotel, a considered addition to a landscape increasingly recognized for its wine culture. The lodge builds on this living heritage through tastings and small-batch Chardonnay production — a gentler approach that reduces water use and supports landscape-sensitive cultivation along the river valley.

Songtsam works closely with neighboring villages, sourcing produce locally and involving community members in vineyard and hospitality operations. Village visits, church tours, and valley walks connect guests to the people who sustain the region’s wine traditions.

Interiors reflect the area’s Tibetan-Catholic cultural blend, using carved timber, regional textiles, and local stone. Rooms open onto balconies overlooking the jade-toned river and terraced slopes, grounding the stay in both landscape and community.

Rooms start from ~$300USD / night

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Each property on this list brings something distinct to China’s evolving hospitality landscape, adding meaningful depth to journeys across the country. Get in touch with our travel designers to include these stays in your next trip through China.

Photo Credits: All images courtesy of the respective hotels featured in this article. 

By Gabrielle Keepfer