Diaoyutai — Hangzhou, China

Hong Kong-based design studio CCD has recreated a slice of old China in the midst of Hangzhou’s central business district, along the edge of the Qiantang river. The 162-room Diaoyutai – dubbed by local wags as Downton Abbey – takes its structural cues from the traditional Chinese courtyard home in which social spaces radiate from a central core, here the lobby and all-day dining restaurant.
The aesthetics layer abstract Orientalism by way of pavilions and landscaped gardens of rocks and pine which, in turn, are framed by smart French windows. White and beige leather blend with natural timber, stone and metal finishes.
At 60 sq m or more, the guest rooms – over half of which feature river views, whilst a third open onto balconies – are spacious cocoons linked by a hallway, and a walk-in cloakroom lined with three full-length mirrors. The riffs on local architectural motifs include traditional brick paving patterns, and handcrafted copper pots alongside silk screens, lacquerware and Chinese armoires.
Meanwhile, the spa includes a 20m lap pool and a yoga room, but it’s the in-house restaurants that draw the attention – especially Royal Court, which serves upscale local delicacies, while the more casual Pinju Hangzhou makes the mark with Shanghainese standards.
Information
Address
No 65 Wuxing Road
Jianggan District
Hangzhou
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.
-
Miami Art Week 2023: the must-sees
Miami Art Week 2023 is underway. Let us guide you through the maze of must-sees, at Art Basel Miami Beach and beyond
By Maria Sobrino Published
-
Cartainers are the ultimate in automotive display and transportation
The Ceres 001 Founders Edition Cartainer is a mobile display cabinet for cars that need an extra level of cossetting
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Hotel August offers a modern-day sanctuary in Antwerp's Green District
Hotel August is a former Augustinian convent quirkily reimagined by Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
By Chadner Navarro Published
-
West Kowloon wonders to discover now
Cultural and culinary adventures, extraordinary spaces and outstanding experiences in West Kowloon, Hong Kong
By Simon Mills Last updated
-
Ramshackle farmhouse in China's Hubei province gets a slick makeover
The reimagined farmhouse is now a contemporary bolthole
By Lauren Ho Last updated
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia
By Dimity Noble Last updated
-
KLoé Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Jennifer Choo Last updated
-
Beast x Gubi House — Shanghai, China
By Cat Nelson Last updated
-
Casa Hoyos — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
By Daven Wu Last updated