Harbin, ChinaSongbei
Songbei Shangri-la Hotel
Glazed riverfront tower
Songbei Harbin, China
Opened
2017
Price
$$$
Rated for
Luxe Design LocalOutside the door
The house
Shangri-LaGlazed riverfront tower
This glass high-rise looks across the Songhua River, giving winter festival visitors a warm vantage over Harbin's frozen waters.
What it’s good at
Notable
Horizon Club floors offer private check-in and evening cocktails above the frozen river.
Listed
Floor-to-ceiling glazing brings Songhua River panoramas into marble-finished guest rooms.
Listed
Shang Kitchen serves Northeastern Chinese regional cooking minutes from Harbin's Ice and Snow World.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
All 344 rooms face either the city or the river through floor-to-ceiling windows; at Shang Kitchen, order the Peking duck ahead; it takes the better part of an hour.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Harbin Ice and Snow World is a short drive away, and Sun Island sits just down the riverbank.
The rooms
Full-height windows look out toward the city skyline or the river. Bathrooms are finished in smooth marble.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The heated indoor pool looks across the Songhua River through full-height windows lined with daybeds.
The spa
Four private suites have dedicated herbal steam showers. Treatments draw on traditional Asian bodywork and relaxation rituals.
The gym
Treadmills and rowing machines line full-height windows with clear views of the skyline and surrounding parkland.
Restaurant
Café Song
Live cooking stations prepare Asian and Western dishes across the open dining room. Lighted pastry cases line the entrance.
At the table
Shang Kitchen cooks regional clay pot dishes. The lounge bar has leather armchairs and a pool table.
Harbin
More like this
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JW Marriott Hotel Harbin River North
“Riverside winter tower”
Sofitel Harbin
“French-accented business tower”
Hotel Indigo Harbin Central Avenue
“Vintage railway 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.