How to spend your miles: 5 luxury hotels in Guangzhou

Do you have miles burning a hole in your pocket? Treat yourself to a short getaway in Guangzhou, China. This exciting city in the Greater Bay Area is ripe for exploration, and when it comes to luxury hotels from our favourite hospitality brands, you’re spoiled for choice. Whether you’re looking for a fun and funky stay at the W or a family-friendly retreat at the Shangri-La, there’s a Guangzhou hotel for you.

W Hotel Guangzhou

W hotels are known for their playfulness and love of design, and nowhere is this more apparent than at the W Guangzhou. With a sumptuous spa, heated indoor pool, gym and five restaurants to choose from, there are copious ways to play here. We suggest checking out Wet Bar, a secret garden venue on the 29th floor that serves semi-buffet lunch and afternoon tea.

With a convenient location on the Pearl River right by Guangzhou East Railway Station, there’s plenty to see and do in the area, from historical sites to shopping galore. However, we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to spend a couple of days without leaving the hotel at all. 

Shangri-La Guangzhou

For a splash of green in Guangzhou’s urban jungle, look no further than the Shangri-La Guangzhou. Here, you’ll find old-school glamour at its finest; book a room with Horizon Lounge access to enjoy nightly cocktails and snacks throughout the day.

This hotel is also great for families, with a vast 1,000sqm outdoor pool, water play facilities, a zipline, and a landscaped garden that you can explore on bikes. There are even sweet amenities for kids in your room when booking certain vacation packages. Be sure to treat yourself with a visit to the Himalayan-inspired CHI Spa after a long day of sightseeing. 

The Westin Guangzhou

In addition to cracking the formula for achieving contemporary elegance, the Westin is passionate about the science of a great night’s sleep. Each room comes furnished with a much raved-about Heavenly Bed, a signature of the Westin hotel brand. Order dishes from the Sleep Well menu to help encourage shut-eye, or book a suite with in-room gym equipment so you can work out and recover in privacy. 

The hotel also has lots to offer families, from healthy kids’ menus to an outdoor children’s pool, while its location in Guangzhou’s buzzing Tianhe district means there is no shortage of entertainment. Want more? The Chimelong amusement park complex is a direct and speedy drive south.

Conrad Guangzhou

Fancy a luxurious soak in a free-standing tub, overlooking the bright lights of Zhujiang New Town? Check into the Conrad Guangzhou; its spacious, ultra-modern rooms have some of the most opulent hotel baths we’ve seen, to say nothing of the floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Located within walking distance of major attractions including the Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou Library and the Guangzhou Opera House, the hotel is the perfect base for a weekend of sightseeing. Don’t miss the hotel’s Mg Bar; this trendy alfresco watering hole has an expansive and stylish outdoor terrace with impressive city views, and a drinks list to match.

The Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou 

Fans of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will find much to admire at this property, which offers guests a modern atmosphere while staying true to the brand’s famed genius for hospitality. With just 233 rooms, this is a relatively small hotel compared to others in Guangzhou, but the guest rooms are spacious and equipped with all the mod-cons.

If you’re up for an adventure, the hotel provides half-day bike tours of the historical suburb of Dongshankou in partnership with Cycle Canton. You can then unwind your afternoon by the hotel pool or at the spa’s water temple, which is replete with a hot tub, sauna and other heat and water facilities.