Hangzhou

More of a resort than a hotel, the fabulous 78-room, two-swimming pool Four Seasons enjoys a seductive position in lush grounds next to West Lake. — Lonely Planet

Sitting on a magical 34-acre plot near West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property consists of 47 stone dwellings, some of which are more than 100 years old. — Forbes Travel Guide

Two hotels originally reserved for top officials and built in the extensive grounds of a now-vanished temple are now fused onto one. — DK Eyewitness

Bill Clinton’s abode of choice in Hangzhou, this hotel offers views of Xi Hu from its deluxe rooms. — Rough Guide

One of Hangzhou’s unofficial nicknames is “The Paradise City,” and it’s stunning places like Banyan Tree Hangzhou that give such tags their validity. — Forbes Travel Guide

Home to some of the very best views of the Qiantang river, this luxury Starwood property aims to accentuate Hangzhou’s natural beauty with big windows and a front-row seat to the tidal bore. — Fodor's

Pleasantly tucked away from the noise down a historic alley off Qīnghéfāng Old Street, this hostel has an excellent location and exudes a pleasant and calm ambience. — Lonely Planet

With its handy lakeside location, this friendly hostel is often booked out... It offers ticket booking, internet access, and rents bikes and camping gear. — Lonely Planet

Just a stone’s throw from China’s famous West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you'll find the Midtown Shangri-La, Hangzhou. — Forbes Travel Guide

Park Hyatt Hangzhou takes this picturesque East China city to new heights in the most literal sense. — Forbes Travel Guide

Perched at the end of West Lake, the sofitel offers smart, colorful interior decor and sharp service. — DK Eyewitness

A favourite of business travellers, this hotel offers modern, quiet rooms and is about a 10 minutes' walk to the lake. Rooms are often discounted by as much as 50%. — Lonely Planet

Set back off the road amid trees and foliage east of Jìngcí Temple, this is a good bet with decent rooms and comfy lounge-bar area hung with lanterns, and a good sense of character and seclusion. — Lonely Planet

With West Lake only a few steps away, this space-ship-shaped international hotel combines excellent customer service with flawless mountain, lake, and garden views. — Fodor's

Well located a few steps from West Lake off Nanshan Lu, this attractive choice is all Mediterranean arches and ochre shades, with a lovely plant-filled interior courtyard. — Lonely Planet

These large and comfortable serviced apartments offer excellent value for money, with facilities including a washing machine, kitchen and surprisingly speedy wi-fi. — Lonely Planet

Equally peaceful is the pool, obscured by reeds, and the sunken library, surrounded by louvered bamboo shutters. — Wallpaper