9 Best Hotels in Shenzhen, Pearl River Delta

The theme is pure Italian Renaissance, right down to the Venetian gondolier uniforms worn by the staff, and the wide spiral staircases and long hallways give the place an M.C. Escher aura. The Venice Hotel's swimming pool is one of the largest in Shenzhen, and extends from an indoor pool under a domed roof to a connected outdoor pool with a swim-up bar. The hotel also has a number of excellent restaurants and is a popular place for wedding banquets.

If you're looking for a hotel that's as serious about its facilities as it is about its food, then the Grand Hyatt is for you. Connected to the shopping center, the 38-story Grand Hyatt is known for its Chinese restaurant, Belle-Vue fine dine, Penthouse sky bar and alfresco cafe. The rooms are gorgeously designed, with a spa-like marble bathroom, a large workstation, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

A classy blend of fun and flair, the Spanish-themed InterContinental Shenzhen has everything from bellmen dressed in toreador costumes to a massive Pirates of the Caribbean–style ship serving as a bar and restaurant. Rooms and suites mix the latest high-tech amenities like LCD TVs and Bose surround sound with plush furnishings. Some are simply decorated, while others are more grand, with sleek leather chairs, wood paneling, and glittering chandeliers. For some relaxation, check out the palm-shaded water park and its imitation beach.

This hotel's retro space-age exterior, featuring rounded balconies that look as if they might detach from the mother ship at any moment, greets visitors arriving on the ferry from Hong Kong. Although it's one of Shenzhen's older luxury hotels, the Nan Hai still holds its own, offering a lively piano bar, attractive rooms with balconies and sea views, and a number of excellent restaurants. There's also a fitness center with tennis courts and workout equpipment.

With a great location in the heart of the business district and an elegant interior, the Pavilion is a solid option for an international-class hotel in Shenzhen. The service is professional, and most of the staff speaks English. There are three restaurants and a coffee shop, as well as a miniature golf course, tennis courts, and a sauna.

A more wallet-friendly option in the OCT area, the Seaview is clean, comfortable, has river views, and tends to be popular with visiting artists since it's across the street from the He Xiangning Art Museum. The third-floor Cantonese restaurant is good for dim sum.

The unbeatable location—practically straddling the border with Hong Kong—has made the Shangri-La a popular meeting place and a longtime landmark. Rooms, though aging a bit, are first-class, the hospitality is excellent, and there are impressive restaurants, including lounge/restaurant/bar 360°, which takes up the top two floors and offers a view of Shenzhen. The Shangri-La also has a number of other excellent restaurants, making it a good choice when all you want to do is relax.

The word "stately" describes every aspect of the Shenzhen Wuzhou Guest House, which was built by the municipal government to house dignitaries—the guest list includes Chinese Premier Li Keqiang—and is now open to the public. Two buildings (one is pyramid-shaped) house guest rooms ranging from simple and modern Western style to lavish, if a bit over-the-top, Chinese decor. Fitness buffs are in for a treat, as there's a massive fitness center, tennis courts, and two indoor-heated swimming pools. There's also an impressive Chinese art collection.

This is an older hotel with some newly renovated rooms, as well as basic amenities for both leisure and business travelers. There's a notable garden that sprawls across an acre, and lots of Greek sculptures and western murals scattered throughout the property.