Chengdu
JW Marriott, Chengdu
Chengdu is famed for pandas, fiery food and its laid-back lifestyle. But business in the capital of Sichuan province is also booming, as is high-end hotel development – including this 345-room hub adjacent to Tianfu Square, right in the heart of the city. Workstations are small but functional, and plenty of natural light streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s almost 20,000 square feet of MICE space here, from private rooms at Cantonese restaurant Man Ho to conference rooms in the executive lounge. Read more >
Niccolo Chengdu
The twin 48-storey towers of Chengdu’s International Finance Square changed the face of the city when it opened in 2014. Niccolo is housed in this complex, between lifestyle and heritage spot Taikoo Li and the business district around Tianfu Square. There are 230 guest rooms, all bright (with expansive windows), warm and simple. Workstations are unobtrusive and functional, with Wi-Fi and an iPad Mini. The spaces for meetings and events are particularly impressive, ranging from small boardrooms through to the Niccolo Ballroom. Read more >
Chongqing
Niccolo Chongqing
One of the first things you’ll notice is a large painting of a young woman’s face, her features bright and exaggerated. It’s a luring statement piece, its artiness and style setting the tone for this hotel, which has become a top address in Jiangbeizui, Chongqing’s new central business district. The hotel occupies the 52nd to 62nd floors of the tallest tower of Chongqing IFS, and the highlight of the rooms is the sky-high views. Business travellers will appreciate the no-frills work desks and the dining tables in the suites – plus an indoor pool, a gym and a spa for staying healthy on the road. Read more>
Guangzhou
Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou
Guangzhou’s hotel scene has sprouted plenty of new openings in recent years, but few stand up to the contemporary luxury and elegance of the Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou. The property’s unmistakably striking, modern Chinese aesthetic carries through from the moment you step into the lobby, through to the 500-seater ballroom and the warm, refined guest rooms – which all come with blazing fast Wi-Fi. Business travellers will appreciate the convenient CBD location in Tianhe, a 45-minute journey from the airport; and the hotel is connected to the luxe Taikoo Hui mall, which offers plenty of dining and shopping. Read more >
Park Hyatt Guangzhou
Occupying the 53rd to 70th floors of a skyscraper in the financial heart of southern China’s most populous city, the Park Hyatt Guangzhou offers jaw-dropping views no matter where you are in the hotel. An earthy, minimalist vibe pervades the guest rooms, and the calming atmosphere is conducive to getting work done, as is the Nespresso coffee and Wi-Fi. When it’s time to head out, you’re in walking distance to major financial buildings in Tianhe district’s Zhujiang New Town as well as cultural landmarks including the Zaha Hadid-designed opera house. Read more >
Four Seasons Guangzhou
Welcome to the highest hotel in the city and one of the loftiest in the world, occupying the 70th to 100th floors of Guangzhou IFC. Few hotels can match its mix of luxuriously modern rooms, superb food offerings and convenience for business (glass desks, iPads and plentiful charging stations come standard). The atrium lobby must be one of the most Instagrammable things in the entire city – an impressive setting for informal meetings. Read more >
Shanghai
The Middle House, Shanghai
With an ‘I Dream of China’ theme, the handsome Middle House brings impressive style and intimate luxury to bustling Jing’an, the city’s commercial and business district. You’ll find it within HKRI Taikoo Hui, a lifestyle, retail and office complex on Nanjing Road West. The 111 rooms and suites are all larger than 500 square feet; for longer assignments, just move into one of the serviced residences. After hours, head to the spa or 24-hour gym, which includes a Hypoxi machine, used for body shaping with minimal effort. Read more >
St Regis Shanghai
When you’re travelling for work, it can make a huge difference if your hotel takes care of all the little things for you. The St Regis group’s personal butlers are excellent at that. Any service you want – whether it’s someone to unpack your bags or make a dinner reservation – is a button press away. The hotel location is a convenience in itself, being right in the Jing’an district. A busy CBD calls for big event spaces, and there’s over 30,000 square feet here for functions. Many of those spaces have panoramic views, as do the elegant rooms and suites. Read more >
The Sukhothai Shanghai
Designed by locally based powerhouse duo Neri&Hu, the Sukhothai Shanghai heavily focuses on wellness and sustainability. The 170 minimalist guest rooms and 31 residential suites feature environmentally friendly walls made of diatom-silica clay, a material that purifies air, regulates humidity and absorbs sound. Broad workspaces, fast Wi-Fi and intuitive room controls allow you to settle in quickly, while the location on Nanjing Road West in the Jing’an CBD provides easy access to both sides of the Huangpu River. Read more >
Xiamen
Conrad Xiamen
Sail-shaped and cloud-piercing, the sleek Conrad Xiamen appeals to the local glitterati as well as business travellers who appreciate the range of meeting spaces and after-hours facilities. The hotel is in the southwest of Siming – a growing business district that forms half of the city’s Special Economic Zone – overlooking the sea. Shapowei Art Zone is a couple minutes’ walk away, as is the docklands area that’s threaded with restaurants. The CBD is a 10-minute taxi ride away, but the zingy area more than compensates. Read more >
