China's best hotels aren't trying to copy European grandeur. They've made something of their own, blending Chinese design with international service.
What is the best luxury hotel in China? My pick is Aman at Summer Palace in Beijing, the only hotel with its own door into the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace gardens. In Shanghai, The Peninsula on the Bund is my city favorite, with Rolls-Royce airport transfers you can arrange when you book.
Key facts
- Shanghai picks: The Peninsula, Amanyangyun, Bulgari Hotel Shanghai and Capella Shanghai.
- Beijing picks: Aman at Summer Palace, The Temple Hotel, Rosewood Beijing and Waldorf Astoria Beijing.
- Entry (as of October 2026): a standard US round trip needs a tourist visa. The 240-hour visa-free transit only works when you fly in from one country and on to a different one.
- Best months: spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October).
After several visits to both cities, here are my picks.
Shanghai's Finest
Photo: Courtesy of The Peninsula Shanghai
1. The Peninsula Shanghai: The Gold Standard
The Bund
The Peninsula sits at the top of the Bund. Airport transfers in the hotel's Rolls-Royce cars can be arranged when you book. The rooftop bar, Sir Elly's Terrace, has one of the best views of the Pudong skyline, and rooms have bedside tablets that run the lights, curtains and more. It holds two MICHELIN Keys.
Photo: Courtesy of The Peninsula Shanghai
2. Amanyangyun: Forest Sanctuary
Minhang, on Shanghai's outskirts
Amanyangyun was built around ancient camphor trees and centuries-old houses moved here from Jiangxi province, and it feels impossibly calm for a hotel inside Shanghai. The spa draws on traditional Chinese wellness.
3. Bulgari Hotel Shanghai: Italian Flair, Chinese Soul
Suzhou Creek, near the Bund
Bulgari brings its Italian design to a spot where Suzhou Creek meets the Huangpu. Il Ristorante, Niko Romito is one of the loveliest Italian dinners in the city.
4. Capella Shanghai: Heritage Reimagined
Former French Concession
Set in the Jian Ye Li shikumen lane houses, Capella turns traditional homes into 55 private villas, and the Auriga Spa sits right in the lanes.
Beijing's Finest
Photo: Peter Zhou / Unsplash
5. Aman at Summer Palace: A Setting Like No Other
Beside the Summer Palace
Aman's Beijing hotel sits in historic courtyard buildings right next to the Summer Palace, where guests once waited for an audience with the Empress Dowager, and a private door leads into the palace grounds.
UNESCO describes the Summer Palace as "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, integrating the natural landscape of hills and open water with manmade features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges." (Source: UNESCO World Heritage List, Summer Palace)
6. The Temple Hotel: Centuries of History
Dongcheng District
An old temple complex near the Forbidden City turned into a tiny hotel with just a handful of rooms, original temple beams and contemporary art. TRB Hutong, one of Beijing's best-loved European restaurants, is on the grounds.
7. Rosewood Beijing: Modern Dynasty
Chaoyang District
Rosewood's Beijing hotel sits in the business district with big city views. Its Country Kitchen restaurant serves a Peking duck that's well worth a reservation.
8. Waldorf Astoria Beijing: Classic Comfort
Wangfujing
Polished rooms in a calm hutong-side setting, a short ride from the Forbidden City.
What About Visa and Logistics?
As of October 2026, US passport holders can use China's 240-hour visa-free transit, but only when flying in from one country and on to a different one (a US to China to US round trip doesn't qualify), and only in approved regions. For a standard round trip you'll need a tourist visa. Rules change often, so check before you book, and we'll walk you through it.
Claire's Verdict
If I had to choose one hotel in China? Aman at Summer Palace. There's only one place where your hotel has its own door into UNESCO gardens. Shanghai's Peninsula is my pick for a city stay, and that Rolls-Royce ride never gets old.
Once you've picked your rooms, here's how I'd spend 10 days in China, and where I'd eat. You deserve a hotel that feels like part of the trip.
Claire B. Soares, 6X Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist
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