Taiwan-born New York designer Tony Chi’s sophisticated signature is stamped all over this gorgeous Mandarin Oriental, which adjoins Guangzhou’s luxurious TaiKooHui mall. Understated and with a stylistic dash of the Orient, the reverent, high-ceilinged public spaces are adorned with oversize glass lanterns and artful installations—a bare tree branch here, a red-lacquer rabbit there. The 233 guest rooms are impressive, too. Starting at 60 square meters and inspired by a traditional Chinese courtyard residence, they feature sliding doors on three sides of a private foyer that opens to reveal separate “dry” and “wet” bathrooms and uncluttered sleeping quarters overlooking the megacity. Delightful details like clothes steamers, door-side collection cupboards, and high-speed Wi-Fi make the stay feel extra luxe. Dressed in smart black and white, the excellent grill restaurant Ebony has become a fashionable society hangout; it opens onto a flower-studded dining terrace with an outdoor swimming pool and day spa in its own garden pavilion.

389 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District; 86-20/3808-8888; Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou website; doubles from US$326

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