9 Absolutely chic 'design hotels' in China we love

Architectural Genius: 9 Design hotels in China that are absolutely jaw-dropping

Sarah Khan

20 Mar 2018

1/9
The Waterhouse at South Bund
Where: Shanghai

Located on the banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River overlooking sweeping, magnificent views of the Pudong skyline, The Waterhouse at South Bund is a phenomenal marriage of the antique and contemporary. The hotel was previously a 1930s building, and still maintains its original facade, despite its complete design overhaul led by one of China's leading architectural designers. It boasts of 19 guestrooms, a chic rooftop bar, destination restaurant and a spacious all-purpose event space.

Photo: The Waterhouse at South Bund (Facebook)
2/9
Commune by the Great Wall
Where: Houairou, China

There are many things to love about this sweet spot: its exclusive proximity to the Great Wall, its phenomenal minimalist bamboo design aesthetic are just the tip of the iceberg.

Photo: Commune by the Great Wall (Facebook)
3/9
Hotel Wind Xiamen
Where: Xiamen

With its modernist box-like exteriors, this thoroughly modern hotel is truly a design vision. In the words of the hotel designers themselves, like a series of “architectural boxes growing from the mountain.” While its extraordinary exteriors are certainly note-worthy it's the interiors that will leave you impressed. Each “box” is delightfully airy, minimalist and geometric, with clean lines plenty of light, thanks to the massive glass panes that allow spectacular views of the city and nature.

Photo: Hotel Wind Xiamen
4/9
Hotel Eclat Beijing
Where: Beijing

Fancy staying in a space-age glass pyramid? This architecturally striking boutique hotel located in the heart of Chaoyang, Beijing's central business district, is part of the Parkview Green development in Fangcaodi. Airy, spacious and refreshingly modern, Hotel Eclat oozes with an aesthetic appeal any design enthusiast can easily appreciate. For one, the hotel houses an astounding private art collection that include esteemed works by Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Zeng Fangzhi, among others. Its all-suite rooms are generous, featuring a private terrace and some with its own private pool.

Photo: Hotel Eclat Beijing (Facebook)
5/9
Banyan Tree Hangzhou
Where: Hangzhou

If you're looking for a more oriental aesthetic to your hotel experience, Banyan Tree's Hangzhou Spa might be a prime choice. This authentic water village is nestled in the lush greenery amidst the Xixi Wetlands Nature Reserve, which lets guests truly feel like they're cocooned in nature's quiet embrace.

Photo: Banyan Tree Hangzhou
6/9
Vue Hotel Houhai
Where: Beijing

Designed by internationally-acclaimed Singapore-based studio Ministry of Design, Vue Hotel Houhai is certainly in a design league of its own. Upon stepping into the hotel grounds, you'll be greeted by an arresting display ornamental touches that range from gargoyles to roof eaves. There are also a series of beautifully landscape gardens that inject a lush and verdant element to the hotel space. Guests can enjoy bites from its signature restaurant that dishes out fusion Spanish-style tapas or tipples from a rooftop bar that overlooks the scenic Houhai Lake.

Photo: Vue Hotel Houhai
7/9
The Temple House Chengdu
Where: Chengdu

The Temple Hotel in Chengdu takes its guests through a historic courtyard building designed in that traditional Chinese vernacular, before leading them into the more contemporary hotel rooms and interiors.

Photo: The Temple House Chengdu (Facebook)
8/9
Gracie Art Hotel
Where: Gracie Art Hotel

This luxury boutique hotel boasts of an interior that is equal parts classic Art Deco influence and contemporary Chinese. There's the Gossip Bar, which is primed to be the next trendy watering hole in Chaoyang, and its signature restaurant, Fennel, that carves out a niche for itself with its fresh seafood.

Photo: Gracie Art Hotel
9/9
The Puli
Where: Shanghai

Considering Shanghai is slowly being touted as the city of the future, it's unsurprising that its new design landscapes are also reflecting that mould. This 26-story tower has sophisticated interiors of the guest rooms, with their clean lines and muted colors, point towards the PuLi’s city origins. Physical luxuries abound, and the rooms’ electronic amenities keep guests feeling as wired as can be.

Photo: The Puli (Facebook)

We don’t know about you, but we’re definitely booking a night in these absolutely chic stays, pronto.

Think design hotels and China might not necessarily be the first country that springs to mind.

However, you’d be surprised at the growing traction of ridiculously chic design hotels cropping up through the country.

There’s the Waterhouse at South Bund in Shanghai; an architectural vision that still manages to beautifully blend both the old and the new – an accurate reflection of Shanghai’s cultural pulse as a city.

And then, on the other hand of the spectrum, there’s the Temple Hotel in Chengdu, which takes through a historic courtyard building designed in that traditional Chinese vernacular, before leading them into the more contemporary hotel rooms and interiors.

Perhaps what we love most about these spaces is that they boldly push the envelope on architectural design, whilst still honouring everything that makes traditional Chinese design touches beautiful. Feast your eyes in the gallery above!

Sarah Khan

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Architectural Genius: 9 Design hotels in China that are absolutely jaw-dropping

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