Hangzhou, ChinaXixi Wetland
Banyan Tree Spa Hangzhou
Ivory wetland village
Xixi Wetland Hangzhou, China
Opened
2009
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Wellness ResortOutside the door
The house
Banyan TreeIvory wetland village
Built like a historic Jiangnan water village, the resort clusters tile-roofed pavilions around quiet canals and arched stone bridges.
What it’s good at
Notable
Ivory-walled Jiangnan pavilions with dark tile roofs and moon bridges crossing wetland canals.
Notable
Ten bamboo-shrouded pavilions deliver Longjing green tea scrubs and warm roller massages.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Its seventy-two ivory-walled villas form a sort of self-contained village along the canals and ponds of the property, with elaborately carved bridges and quiet courtyards.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Xixi Wetland surrounds the grounds with quiet reed beds and canals, while West Lake sits fifteen minutes away.
The rooms
Interiors feature high ceilings and dark lacquered wood, with private balconies that look straight out across the canals.
The pool and baths
Bring a swimsuit.
The indoor swimming pool sits beneath an overhead skylight between rough stone walls, beside a circular hydrotherapy whirlpool.
The spa
Soak slowly.
Therapists trained at the Banyan Tree Academy work in ten private pavilions scattered through the bamboo.
At the table
Red lanterns hang from timber beams in Jiu Xian lounge, and private veranda tables look out over the wetland greenery.
How it began
Architect Ho KwonCjan modeled the pavilions on regional temples, keeping decoration restrained so the surrounding marshland remains the focus.
Hangzhou
More like this
Grand Hyatt Hangzhou
“Curved West Lake hotel”
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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.