The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Xiamen

Open-air: At the Waldorf Astoria Xiamen, the infinity pool sits on the fifth-floor terrace, about 950 m² with cabana service. By the Huli harbor you swim in the Olympic-size outdoor pool at The PuShang Hotel Xiamen, Lohkah Hotel, and the Andaz Xiamen has a heated 25-meter pool right on the lobby level.Waldorf Astoria Xiamen · JialianSea views all year: For a 5-star hotel in Xiamen with an indoor pool, head to the health club of the Conrad Xiamen, where the heated 25-meter pool lies behind floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea. At the Langham Place Xiamen, daylight falls on the heated indoor pool and music plays underwater. At the Fairmont Xiamen, you swim laps behind glass walls with water features, right next to the fitness center.

For a whole afternoon: At The PuShang Hotel Xiamen, Lohkah Hotel, the spa fills an entire 2,000 m² wing inspired by imperial bathing chambers, with a hydro circuit of several pools; treatments range from express sessions to multi-day journeys. At the Waldorf Astoria Xiamen spa, each of the five treatment rooms has its own private outdoor terrace, and the signature ritual is the Aroma Hydro Thermal Therapy.The PuShang Hotel Xiamen, Lohkah Hotel · JinshanWith a view or the Chinese way: At the Conrad Xiamen, the sauna comes with a view, and the steam room and jacuzzi are in the changing rooms. Chuan Spa at the Langham Place Xiamen follows the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with nine treatment rooms and one for couples. At the Fairmont Xiamen, the treatment rooms are styled after a Gulangyu villa and the aromatherapy draws on scents of southern Fujian; spa guests must be 18 or older.

Rates start at 68 € at the Langham Place Xiamen and at 358 € at the HUANG YAN 36 Hotel Xiamen on Gulangyu. Between those two sit, for example, the Conrad Xiamen from 143 € and The PuShang Hotel Xiamen, Lohkah Hotel from 271 €. The table shows all ten hotels by area; for today’s rates and availability, see the hotel list further down.

Included everywhere: breakfast for two every morning and, when available, early check-in and late check-out. Upgrades come on arrival when a room is free; at the Andaz Xiamen they are confirmed at booking, but never from a room to a suite. Nine hotels grant the benefits from the first night, the HUANG YAN 36 Hotel Xiamen for stays of two nights or more.

Hotel credit is worth comparing: 100 US dollars at the Conrad Xiamen, the Waldorf Astoria Xiamen, the Fairmont Xiamen and the InterContinental Xiamen, 75 US dollars at the Andaz, and 50 US dollars at the Shangri-La and at HUANG YAN 36. At the Langham Place it is at least 80 yuan, up to 150 yuan for longer stays and selected rates. A welcome gift awaits you at the Andaz, the Fairmont, the Langham Place, the Shangri-La and W Xiamen.Langham Place Xiamen · JinshanPoints and status count at eight of the ten luxury hotels in Xiamen: Hilton Honors at the Conrad Xiamen and the Waldorf Astoria Xiamen, both with double points, IHG One Rewards at the InterContinental Xiamen, World of Hyatt at the Andaz Xiamen, ALL (Accor) at the Fairmont Xiamen, Marriott Bonvoy at the W Xiamen and Brilliant by Langham at the Langham Place Xiamen. At The PuShang Hotel Xiamen, Lohkah Hotel, give your Leaders Club number when you book.

When to go: Xiamen is in season all year. In spring and fall you explore Gulangyu and the old town comfortably on foot, summer brings warm sea water and long evenings on Huandao Road, and in winter the city is calm, with lanterns around the Spring Festival. Book early for the Spring Festival and the first week of October, when China is on holiday.

How long to stay: For a 5-star hotel in Xiamen we recommend three to four nights – two on Gulangyu and the rest in the city by the sea, with time for Nanputuo, Shapowei and a bike ride along the coast.