19 Best Hotels in Eastern China, China

Thoughtfully designed rooms—with sleek desks, soothing beige palettes, and big bathrooms—and a distinctive lobby with grand columns and gauzy curtains distinguish this hotel, which is set amid a lively neighborhood just a block north of West Lake's Orioles Singing in the Willows. A Roman-style pool overcomes its drab basement location, and there is a lovely terrace on the sixth floor with views of the lake.

Branches of this quirky, beloved, boutique-hotel chain have popped up in other Chinese cities, but the Hangzhou location is a step up from the rest, with an airy, artful lobby decorated with Andy Warhol's pop art; a glass elevator that gives you a bird's-eye view; and clean, quiet rooms. Be sure to request one facing outward for a better view.

Hangzhou's most recognizable and centrally located hotel offers attentive service and comfortable, sleekly furnished rooms; be sure to ask for one on an upper floor for unobstructed views. A large indoor swimming pool, adjacent to the spa, overlooks West Lake. The hotel is home to excellent Chinese and Western restaurants, and breakfast can be enjoyed on a quiet lake-side terrace. About two blocks north is the Hubin Yi Park Dock, where you can catch boats that ply the lake.

In a nicely renovated colonial building, this hotel has an ideal location opposite the ferry pier and the waterfront boulevard; indeed, many of its stylishly furnished rooms have ocean views. The on-site Harbourview Restaurant looks over the straits from a pretty rooftop terrace.

Sitting pretty between the historic sights and the commercial district, the Marco Polo is one of the best options for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel's glass-roof atrium makes the lobby bar a nice place to relax after a day's sightseeing, and there's a live band in the evening. The service is friendly and efficient, though the guest rooms are showing their age.

On the site of an ancient temple, amid 40 acres of camphor and bamboo trees that merge seamlessly into the gardens and walkways of surrounding West Lake, this historic landmark hotel has two wings of rooms with high ceilings and heavy damask fabrics.

Overlooking the confluence of three rivers, Ningbo's most opulent international hotel offers personalized service, first-rate facilities, and elegantly appointed rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame urban panoramas. Splurge for one of the Horizon Club rooms, and you'll be escorted to the club lounge and treated like royalty. The cozy, dimly lit Lobster Bar and Grill will prepare imported Australian Tajima beef to perfection, offers a decent wine selection, and has live music that will make you want to linger.

Though it's difficult to prove the Xianheng's claims that it's the province's first eco-friendly hotel, other things about it are undeniable: its traditionally accented rooms are plush and comfortable, its setting amid courtyards with canals is pretty, and its Chinese-style spa has extensive facilities and services. If you're hankering for comfort food, the on-site western restaurant can sate your cravings. The hotel is a short walk from the Lu Xun Memorial and is near many restaurants, including the historical Xianheng Winehouse just next door.

Surrounded by tea fields, forests, and romantic courtyards, Amanfuyan tastefully re-creates the feel of a traditional Chinese village, with buildings that incorporate lots of stone, clay, and brick, and rooms decked out in earth tones. The grounds—peaceful thanks to a location far from the tourist droves, about 6 km (3.7 miles) west of West Lake—also have a sumptuous spa, a 20-meter outdoor pool, and several restaurants.

Named after Memories of the South, a famous Tang Dynasty poem by Bai Ju Yi, this luxury property incorporates shades of blue throughout, and its big windows give you front row seats for the tidal bore. It also has a spa and restaurants.

Guest rooms have earthy interiors with lots of wood at this massive hotel, whose five towers are set amid peaceful courtyards dotted with ponds, a small waterfall, and a gazebo—all within walking distance of Diamond Hill and Yellow Dragon Cave. It also has one female-only floor.

Under a pagoda-style roof, contemporary Chinese decor and modern amenities combine with superlative service to create a luxurious retreat with plush, spacious rooms—some with private terraces that have excellent views, all with bathrooms that have soaking tubs and separate showers. Dizzying corridors lead to the opulent Jin Sha Chinese restaurant, where garden lagoon views complement tasty dishes such as Hangzhou-style braised fish maw with goose web in abalone sauce.

Trendy travelers appreciate this boutique hotel's smart design, friendly service, space-efficient but comfortable (and colorful) rooms, and harborside location. It’s within walking distance of the ferry port as well as the colonial areas surrounding Zhongshan pedestrian street.

With sweeping views of Xiamen Bay, this stunning, family-friendly property feels less like an urban Chinese hotel and more like a Southeast Asian resort—albeit one with sleek guest rooms decorated with mid-century-inspired pieces (think Barcelona chairs) and equipped with iPod docking stations and DVD players. Le Meridien has lots of outdoor space for kids to explore, as well as an indoor pool that offers swimming lessons. Families with older children can choose from trekking through the area's lush hills, bicycling on nearby trails, or a couple games of tennis.

Spacious and comfortable rooms, a friendly and attentive staff, and an excellent location overlooking the harbor make this hotel a practical base. The on-site restaurants are good, particularly the first-floor coffee shop, which is the only place in Xiamen to get a good New York–style deli sandwich. Golfers will like the first-floor bar, which has a small putting green.

The New Century's contemporary rooms are decorated in muted shades with pops of bright red and have bathrooms equipped with rain showers. Opt for a deluxe room if you prefer one large bed. A pleasant walk west of the hotel leads to the Lu Xun Memorial.

A massive marble lobby features an unusual spiky chandelier, and spiral staircases lead to guest rooms at this hotel, whose excellent service and convenient location make it an ideal base from which to explore the city. The more expensive club rooms are worth the price, as they include superfast check-in, breakfast, Y100 daily laundry credit, afternoon tea, and a complimentary cocktail hour (which actually lasts three hours) during which you can enjoy a rejuvenating 15-minute back rub. For everyone else, a Starbucks and several lively bars are within arm's reach.

Next to popular shopping complex Wanda Plaza, the Sofitel Wanda combines French flair and touches of Chinese culture for a sophisticated result. Rooms come with some nice touches—think marble bathrooms and 37-inch plasma TVs—plus there are four restaurants to choose from.

This spaceship-shaped hotel just steps from West Lake offers excellent customer service and spacious rooms with big balconies and ergonomic furniture. Don't hesitate to ask the hotel's army of guest-service "ambassadors" questions; they know the city and can give good insider recommendations. The hotel's authentic Thai restaurant is hands-down the best in town.