Must-see hotels in China

  • Attitude on Granville

    Kowloon

    'Boutique hostel' or 'student chic' seem like appropriate labels for this wacky hotel rocking a nostalgic HK aesthetic mashed up with pop art, murals and,…

  • Ancient Town Youth Hostel

    Anhui

    Started by some former tour guides, this hostel ticks all the right boxes, with a well-stocked bar, movie room, friendly and informative English-speaking…

  • Rock & Wood International Youth Hostel

    Shanghai

    With a serene bamboo-edged pond in its courtyard, and a bright and inviting lounge and bar area, this is a popular tranquil choice for travellers. Rooms…

  • Lanyue Inn

    Henan

    Down an alley off Chongfu Lu, this little hotel has helpful staff and large rooms with comfortable beds and private bathrooms. Thoughtful room decorations…

  • He House

    Guiyang

    Housed in a large white gallery space in a converted building, He House is Guiyang's best independent hotel. Open-plan rooms are oversized and crisply…

  • Otto Hotel

    Kowloon

    A good balance of price and quality, Otto has 56 immaculate, well-soundproofed rooms and a fantastic location in the heart of TST just seconds from the…

  • Chunyi Hotel

    Jilin

    The Chunyi is a classic early-20th-century Chinese hotel with a hint of historical glamour. Lit up on a busy intersection on Renmin Dajie, its marble…

  • Trachung Tsang

    Gansu

    This endearing choice up the hill on the Sichuan side has a comfortable range of doubles and dorm accommodation. The operation is run by Huasang, an…

  • Long Lane Inn

    Anhui

    Housed in a gorgeous Ming dynasty villa, Long Lane Inn is a tourist attraction in its own right. There are nine different rooms, some with traditional…

  • Teddy Bear Hotel

    Emei Shan

    If you can get past the theme (bears, bears, everywhere), this very clean, long-standing backpacker hotel offers nice rooms and English-speaking staff…

  • Zaiyang Inn

    Guangdong

    This classy Qing-style inn with graceful courtyards and antique woodcarvings is the place to stay in Chaozhou. Rooms are small but clean and far from…

  • Christian’s Hotel

    Henan

    This boutique hotel scores points for its variety of themed rooms, each with large plush beds and a kitchen-dining area. Do you go for Tang dynasty style…

  • Guangdong Victory Hotel

    Guangzhou

    One of a handful of heritage buildings you can bed down in on Shamian Island, the Victory is divided in two: the west wing is the oldest and more…

  • Ancient Hotel

    Sichuan

    Hotels don't come with much more history than this appropriately named place. It was founded as a hotel during the Tang dynasty and is still the place to…

  • Qionghai Boao Xishe Guesthouse

    Hainan

    The owners of this simple yet stylish guesthouse are extremely friendly, and will almost certainly invite you to take tea with them. As a bonus, they have…

  • 1982 International Youth Hostel

    Zhangjiajie

    The top pick in Wulingyuan, this hostel features spacious double rooms with faux lattice decor, six-person dorms and a huge 2nd-floor cafe and restaurant…

  • K2 Youth Hostel

    Xinjiang

    Housed in a huge warehouse space overlooking Tashkurgan's busy main pedestrian shopping street, this friendly hostel is run by a young English-speaking…

  • Hofang International Youth Hostel

    Hangzhou

    Pleasantly tucked away from the noise down a historic alley off Qinghefang Old Street, this hostel has an excellent location and exudes a pleasant, calm…

  • Amazing Koala Boutique Hotel

    Dalian

    Over on Fujiazhuang Beach is one of the rarer hotels for the region. The Amazing Koala is a large contemporary structure set back in dense foliage near…

  • Liangzhu Boutique Lifestyle Hotel

    Xiamen

    Old-world hospitality makes a guest appearance at this 1950s chocolate-coloured villa discreetly tucked away in central Xiamen for golden night-time peace…

  • 5Footway Inn

    Macau

    Converted from a love motel, 5Footway Inn has 24 small clean rooms, vibrant paintings in communal areas and excellent English-speaking staff. Breakfast…

  • Pipa Hostel

    Datong

    A charming hostel with themed rooms overlooking a bright communal area. Good illumination and air-conditioning, abundant USB sockets, and clean toilets…

  • Emma's Guesthouse

    Sichuan

    Friendly and helpful owner Emma speaks excellent English and it's her influence that really turns this guesthouse into something special. She can arrange…

  • Shichahai Sandalwood Boutique Hotel

    Beijing

    Formerly the mansion of a Qing dynasty official, this hutong hotel has put a lot of effort into its ornamental Chinese styling, with wooden furniture,…

  • Xiamen International Youth Hostel

    Xiamen

    This is the best hostel in Fujian. Spacious mixed dorms share a clean bathroom between up to six guests; stylish double rooms – some with balcony – would…

  • Salisbury YMCA

    Kowloon

    If you can manage to book a room at this fabulously located YMCA hotel, you’ll be rewarded with professional service. The 372 rooms and suites are…

  • Urban Pack

    Kowloon

    A laid-back, sociable hostel with a great location between Kowloon Park and Harbour City, Urban Pack is run by two friendly Canadian-Chinese, Albert and…

  • Lazy Bones Hostel

    Chengdu

    Excellent hostel aimed at poshpackers rather than backpackers. Pristine dorms have private bathrooms and a maximum of just six beds while the private…

  • Prince Hotel

    Hong Kong

    Conveniently situated in Tsim Sha Tsui's Harbor City shopping complex, Prince Hotel is a good option balancing location and comfort.

  • Gesar Palace Hotel

    Qinghai

    Located 100m west of the town square, and towering over the local buildings, is the town's best hotel, flooded with traditional Tibetan decor in the…

  • Holiday Inn

    Ningxia

    This hotel at the Yinchuan International Trade Centre is excellent, offering a range of stylish amenities, professional service, comfortable, well…

  • Tulou Sunshine International Youth Hostel

    Fujian

    Part converted tǔlóu, part newly built premises, this HI-affiliated hostel is very friendly and far simpler to negotiate than Tǎxià family life. Dorms are…

  • 365 Inn

    Beijing

    This long-established backpackers has its own bar-restaurant, called Long Table, that opens out onto the walking street, and there's a great-value Peking…

  • Tai O Heritage Hotel

    Lantau

    Housed in a century-old former police station, this is Lantau’s coolest hotel. All nine rooms are handsomely furnished in a contemporary style, offering…

  • YesInn @YMT

    Kowloon

    Boasting an enviable location in the neon-clad heart of Yau Ma Tei, YesInn is a great base from which to soak up those local Hong Kong vibes. Pick from…

  • Lu Shu Homestay

    Changsha

    Set in an old brick house and owned by an architect, this is Changsha's cosiest hotel by a long shot. Decor mixes contemporary sensibilities with the odd…

  • Yàshèng Dàjiǔdiàn

    Shaanxi

    Located in the centre of town with some rooms facing Bao Pagoda, this excellent hotel has stylish, modern, comfortable and well-equipped rooms. A decent…

  • Show Year

    Jiangsu

    In a traditional white-walled residence right outside the southwest exit, Show Year has cool, comfortable rooms that combine industrial concrete and…

  • Atour Hotel

    Shanxi

    Good service, a young, easy vibe, and super-comfortable rooms in Taiyuan's main commercial and business area. The rate includes a solid buffet breakfast…

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