Huangshan, ChinaHongcun
Banyan Tree Huangshan
Huizhou tea estate
Hongcun Huangshan, China
Opened
2015
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Wellness ResortOutside the door
The house
Banyan TreeHuizhou tea estate
Working tea terraces wrap around courtyard pavilions designed in the style of an ancient Anhui hamlet.
What it’s good at
Notable
Stepped horse-head gables evoke traditional Huizhou ink-wash paintings across the tea hills.
Notable
Banyan Tree Spa centers recovery on local Maofeng tea baths and Rainforest hydrotherapy.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Built in the Anhui vernacular: whitewashed walls, dark-tiled rooflines, heavy exposed woodwork, the Banyan Tree feels at home in this landscape rather than imposed on it.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
The ancient merchant villages of Hongcun and Xidi sit ten minutes away by car among the southern Anhui foothills.
The rooms
Balconies look out across forested hills, and villas have deep wooden soaking tubs beside carved lattice screens.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
The outdoor pool
Sunken loungers line the curved pool deck, looking out across the mountain valley toward distant village rooftops.
At the table
Cylindrical lanterns hang above the dining room tables, where regional Hui recipes use mountain bamboo shoots and local river fish.
How it began
Landscape designers modeled the grounds on Tao Yuanming's ancient pastoral fable, carving eighteen tea plots into the hillside.
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.