Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
“It’s the sort of place that you dream about staying in.” The highest-scoring property on this year’s Gold List, this hotel fills the top floors of a 58-story tower in the city’s financial district, a quick walk from the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower. Below the hotel, guests have easy access to high-end shopping, the Metro, and surrounding businesses. Rooms—“the largest and most luxurious we’ve ever seen in China”—have views of the Huangpu River an…
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Sofitel Forebase Chongqing
Located in the heart of Chongqing, one of China’s fastest-growing cities, this two-towered, 27-story modernist hotel opened in 2007. “Bright rooms” have bronze and chocolate silk accents, leather sofas, and colorful artwork. Bathrooms stock toiletries by L’Occitane and Hermès. Bamboo Pavilion serves authentic Cantonese dishes; Spices celebrates the cuisines of Asia and the Mediterranean and has a circular, glass-walled wine room. The clubby Fidel…
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Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai
Enjoy the “unbeatable location” at this massive property that occupies two architecturally distinct towers above the Huangpu in the financial hub of Lujiazui. The gold shades in luxury Grand Tower rooms draw back to reveal wall-length windows that provide “the best view of the Bund.” River Wing rooms have shades of gold and maroon that complement the wooden wall panels. The ten restaurants include Nadaman, designed by Japanese firm Super Potato,…
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The Peninsula Hong Kong
This neoclassical building with a modern tower near the Star Ferry terminal in Kowloon is “a hallmark of class from days gone by.” “Gorgeously appointed rooms” marry European style with Asian touches in hues of blue, green, gold, and ivory. Take a swim in the eighth-floor pool overlooking Hong Kong Island, or get a holistic massage with hot stones of volcanic lava at the spa. “Truly incredible dining” includes Cantonese among dark woods and Asian…
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Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
This “perfectly located landmark”—it’s right by the Star Ferry Pier—“mixes the best of East and West.” “High-tech, rest-inducing” rooms have “amazing double showerheads,” linen sheets, blond-wood paneling, and Hermès toiletries. On the 25th floor, at Pierre, modern French cuisine is served alongside views of Victoria Harbour through floor-to-ceiling windows. For communal dining with no menu, head to The Krug Room, where the chef creates dinner ea…
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Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street
This chrome-and-blue-glass tower, with enormous white marble yin and yang sculptures and cloud-embossed doors on the elevators, resides in a “very nice part of the city,” next to the Seasons Place shopping mall. Burnt-orange and celadon rooms covered in off-white wallpaper are “out of this world, but a bit on the small side.” Cépe supplies Italian dishes complemented by choices from its wall of 2,000 wine bottles. Dishes from various regions of C…
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Raffles Beijing
Located at the crossroads of Chang An Avenue and the Wangfujing shopping district, and just steps from Tiananmen Square, the Beaux Arts landmark is “a true oasis, and in the best location in Beijing,” hence the perfect score. Contrasting with the French colonnade facade, interiors favor Asian style, and the marble lobby has knotted rugs, gold leaf, and silk-tasseled cushions. Suites are beautified by damask wallpaper. Jaan serves French cuisine;…
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Opposite House, Beijing
This “very modern hotel” is located among the bars, dining, and entertainment of the cosmopolitan Sanlitun neighborhood. Designed by Japanese avant-garde architect Kengo Kuma, this “super-sleek emerald-glass structure” houses loft-style rooms done in a green color scheme with high ceilings and hardwood floors—“you feel transported to some futuristic time.” Bathrooms are equipped with oak soaking tubs. Dine on casual Mediterranean cuisine from a w…
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Westin Bund Center, Shanghai
Due to celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2012, this property is fashioned like a throne, with two tower wings and an illuminated crown on top. Situated right off the Bund in Pudong, it’s “well-located for tourism of all kinds.” “Gorgeous, non-cookie-cutter” rooms have not only oversized showerheads and deep spa tubs but embroidered lanterns, glass and marble, and “outstanding views of the lighted signs and buildings at night,” as well as of the…
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Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong
Thanks to its “great location on the harbor,” this property has “ready access to the sights of Kowloon and has a good view of Hong Kong Island.” The two-story lobby has Venetian glass chandeliers, Italian marble, a mosaic fountain, and murals depicting the mythical Shangri-La. “Comfortable and spacious” rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water or the city, and a color scheme of tans and browns, some with red mahogany wall panels.…
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