Dalian, ChinaXinghai Square
The Castle Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dalia
Bavarian hilltop castle
Xinghai Square Dalian, China
Opened
2014
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe SocialOutside the door
The house
MarriottBavarian hilltop castle
This stone fortress brings Neuschwanstein grandeur to Lotus Mountain. Battlements overlook Xinghai Bay, and wild deer wander the grounds below.
What it’s good at
Listed
Stone turrets and timbered ceilings crown a Bavarian-inspired castle above Xinghai Bay.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Originally built in 2002, this Bavarian-style castle on Lotus Mountain above Xinghai Bay is one of the more committed architectural statements in Chinese hospitality.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Binhai Road begins at the front gates, winding thirty-two kilometers along the coast. Xinghai Square sits just down the mountain.
The rooms
Bedrooms have soaring ceilings and handcrafted timber furniture, with broad windows looking out over Xinghai Bay.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
The indoor pool
Grand stone columns and mosaic tiles flank the heated indoor pool, where tall windows look out across Xinghai Bay.
At the table
Zhen Bao serves local Dalian seafood beneath crystal chandeliers, and afternoon tea is poured in the lobby lounge.
How it began
The citadel opened in 2002 to house a modest seashell museum, standing largely vacant before its transformation into a hotel.
The app
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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.