8 Best Hotels in Nanjing, Beijing to Shanghai

Steps from the heart of the city, this well-run hotel has an offbeat charm, with a bright, brash, and soaring lobby and stylish, reasonably priced guest rooms. The helpful 24-hour travel desk can arrange day tours in and around Nanjing or set up farther-flung excursions.

Occupying the uppermost floors of the Jimao Tower, designed so that its 62 concertina-like stories resemble a Chinese lantern, this international luxury hotel has state-of-the-art rooms, a fabulous spa (try the indoor mineral pool), and fawning service. Music@61 boasts a wine and live music bar (as well as many other offerings), and the lobby lounge serves afternoon tea amid stunning views. Fairmont Nanjing has seven dining outlets in all, so you won't go hungry.

In a gleaming tower that's connected to an upscale shopping mall, the Golden Eagle Summit is a step above most other five-star domestically owned hotels; lots of natural wood imparts warmth in the well-laid out guests rooms, where comfortable beds welcome you after a day of exploring.

Overlooking the busy shopping centers in Nanjing's commercial center, the Grand Hotel is an affordable and reliable base for seeing the sights, with a decent Western restaurant, babysitting service, and other family-friendly extras.

This lofty hotel towers above its rivals in height, price, and, standards, although its amenities and decor—all blacks, creams, and chromes—are geared more to Chinese businessmen than foreign leisure travelers.

Something of an institution, Nanjing's original modern five-star hotel is worth a look for its great location in the center of town, solicitous service, and—in its newer tower—sparklingly modern rooms. The pool and sauna are particularly luxurious, and as an unexpected bonus, the second floor boasts an authentic Japanese restaurant. Shoppers have a wealth of options in the malls and boutiques nearby.

With rich textiles, sleek furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the guest rooms at this welcoming hotel are fine for the price; ask for an east-facing room, and you'll be treated to rousing vistas of Xuanwu Lake and the wall surrounding Nanjing's old city. Making the location even nicer is the fact that there's a subway station just outside. If you don't feel like venturing far for dinner, the 20th-floor revolving restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat buffet with Western and Chinese dishes. The staff can help you arrange day trips around the city.

If you're looking for luxury, this 48-story tower remains a fine choice despite all the recent competition; rooms and suites are chic and understated, with subtle Asian flourishes and all the trimmings you'd expect from the brand, including plasma TVs and rainfall showers. Dining options abound, including beautifully designed Chinese and French eateries. The hotel is within walking distance of the eateries on Hunan Lu pedestrian street.