ACCOMMODATION msafiri 98 Shenzhen Intercontinental Hotel WHERE 9009 Shennan Lu, Overseas Chinese Town, Shenzhen WHY Perhaps inspired by the four theme parks which surround it, this colossal hotel has a schizophrenic style, with Spanish exterior architecture blended with ambassadorial interior textures ( think lots of marble and crystal). Most of the 540 rooms face inward towards the huge swimming pool, while the impressive F& B options include The Galleon Restaurant – housed inside a replica 18th- century sailing ship. CONTACT www. ichotelsgroup. com Garden Hotel WHERE 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou WHY To improve clarity in China's notoriously misleading official hotel rating system, the China National Tourism Administration introduced a new ' platinum 5- star' tier in 2007. Guangzhou was awarded one platinum badge and the classy Garden Hotel scooped it. In a rambling and chaotically planned city, the imposing Pentagon-esque building functions as a centre of gravity and is good for getting your bearings, no matter where you are staying. The lobby has a regal splendour, the business centre is superb, while the tranquil garden, outdoor pool and tennis and squash courts take care of leisure needs. CONTACT www. thegardenhotel. com. cn Ritz- Carlton Guangzhou WHERE 3 Xing'an Lu, Pearl River New City, Guangzhou WHY The Ritz- Carlton Guangzhou takes modern China's fascination for kitsch aristocratic European fittings and restores a bit of class to the genre. In a country where corners are often cut during frenzied construction schedules, this superb new hotel feels faultlessly solid. And yet despite the palatial marble bathrooms and live string quartets, it's the little homely touches that seem to matter most: mints are thoughtfully left beside the door, while the bathtub comes with an ergonomically designed pillow. The only current drawback is the location, deep inside an as yet unfinished business district. However, by 2010 the construction should be complete and the Ritz- Carlton can claim its rightful title as King of Hospitality in Guangzhou. CONTACT www. ritzcarlton. com Sheraton Dameisha Hotel WHERE 9 Yankui Lu, Yantian District, Shenzhen WHY The closest thing Guangdong has to a bona fide beach resort, the Sheraton Dameisha has 386 spacious guest rooms and suites, all of which feature an ocean- facing balcony or terrace, offering panoramic ocean views. Guests can enjoy an exclusive beach, as well as some of the most opulent facilities this side of the mainland border. CONTACT www. sheraton. com 11 10 8 9 Shenzhen Intercontinental Hotel Shenzhen Intercontinental Hotel Ritz- Carlton Guangzhou