The Best Hotels to Book in Xiamen, China

Low-key luxury in the city, the blond wood and marble suites are home to an array of single, double or king-sized beds – the Chairman Suite comes with butler service. The spa also offers a personalised touch as your therapist will choose an element-based treatment to match your mood. They will select a wood, fire, earth, metal or water wrap, massage or facial to help you regain harmony. Make a splash in the 25m (87ft) indoor plunge pool offers unobstructed views of the city.

Spy city and ocean views from your suite – but it might be worth booking the Presidential Suite to enjoy the city view from your jacuzzi. Ride the elevator to the 26th floor to enjoy sushi, sashimi and a tower of crispy tempura at the Benkay Japanese restaurant. But if you’re more interested in burning calories, check out the indoor swimming pool, hit the Technogym treadmills in the fitness room or try your hand at table tennis or billiards.

Understated yet elegant – from the wood carvings in the lobby to the circular stone tub in your suite. Each room celebrates minimalism yet makes space for such luxuries as Nespresso coffee machines and Bottega toiletries. The spa – which takes up an entire hotel wing – is inspired by the Imperial Bathing Chambers, so expect some serious pampering. Enjoy a morning yoga class or clear your mind with a Tibetan singing bowl session in the evening.

A beachside hotel which mixes business with pleasure, Shangri-La has rooms featuring a view of the sea or city skyline, as well as a marble bath and rainshower. The Fu Gong restaurant with walls made from shipping containers has a cool maritime vibe – and the 3,000sqm (32,300sqft) fitness centre is equally as funky as the graffiti-style CrossFit gym. Energetic kids should check out the Kids’ Club with doughnut slides, ball pits and trampolines.

Conrad is a sail-shaped building overlooking the Unesco World Heritage site of Gulangyu Island. Choose from queen or king-sized beds offering sea and city views – the King Presidential Suite is its crowning glory, which sleeps five and comes with a private gym. Kick back on the sweeping sofa in the lounge and listen to the Bose sound system. There are five eateries, including the seafood restaurant on the 54th floor with its own mixologist. Visit the spa or pool on the 37th floor, or use the hotel’s jogging track along the seashore.

Instagram hotspots surround this hotel – from the swirling 23km (14mi) long Health Trail to Yundang Lake. But the hotel is also worth an Instagram post or two thanks to the large windows in the suites with views of the coast, mountains or city. The Caesar Restaurant also serves a few Asian specialities, including Hainan chicken rice, the pork dish of bak kut teh infused with medical herbs and spicy Singapore laksa.

Marco Polo has over 300 rooms to choose from, a white stucco lakeside getaway, including the Cabana Room with access to the pool or the Premier Suite overlooking the water. Restaurants include a Japanese Shogan Restaurant with a spellbinding lake view. If you want to work out, you can visit the outdoor pool, gym or one of three nearby golf courses.

Nature lovers will want to leave their bags at this hotel – which has an ecological garden filled with lily-filled ponds, peacocks and palm tree-lined pathways, just begging to be explored. If you want to relax, you’ll be pleased to know hidden around the garden, you’ll find hammocks and seated swings where you can rest a while. It will be hard to tear yourself away from this scene, but if you do, you’ll find an indoor pool, spa and a kids’ club – as well as European-style villas and garden suites ready for your stay.

A lush mountain provides the backdrop to this hideaway. This low-rise hotel – on the slope of Xianyue Hill – is determined to help you enjoy the great outdoors. Each room comes with a balcony overlooking the mountains or gardens. Dine al fresco in the courtyard or even by a waterfall. Want to spend some more time outside? Check out the miniature golf, mountain bike trails or jogging trails.