Shenzhen is a mere hop, skip and a jump from Hong Kong and with increasingly relaxed visa restrictions, it's easier than ever to take a trip over the border. We've rounded up the best luxury family hotel options in Shenzhen
The transformation of Shenzhen from a quiet scattering of villages to an economic powerhouse has been swift. Just 40 years ago, it was a rural border town of around 30,000 inhabitants. Today, it has a population of 15 million people and fishing and rice growing has given way to tech and innovation industries that rival Silicon Valley.
A raft of international top-end hotels have opened in the city in recent years and with ever-new areas and attractions springing up, there's plenty to do and see.
Futian is the central business district and has a high-speed railway station that links with West Kowloon in just 11 minutes. The area boasts high-end shopping malls, restaurants and plenty of parks. Or head to Nanshan district with attractions such as Window of the World and Happy Valley adventure park.
The city also has a burgeoning seaside district. Head to Dameisha Beach or Dapeng New District on the shores of Mirs Bay for coastal resorts and sand and sea break.
Shenzhen Marriott Golden Bay
Enjoy pools and direct beach access at Shenzhen Marriott Golden Bay
Located on the far side of Mirs Bay in Dapeng New District, Shenzhen Marriott Golden Bay occupies a prime beachfront location on Golden Bay. The hotel’s rooms and suites offer sea views and free, high-speed WiFi.
The modern interiors channel local culture, taking influences from nearby Dapeng Fortress and Shenzhen’s fishing heritage.
Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, a kids’ club, a 24-fitness centre and a hotel spa. The hotel has direct access to a private beach. Nearby attractions include SeaWorld and Mr X’s Escape Room.
Dining options run to four restaurants and a lounge serving popular Shenzhen and international dishes, as well as kid’s meals and barbecue options.
Deluxe rooms offer two double beds and connecting rooms are also offered. Cots and infant beds can also be requested.
Shenzhen Marriott Golden Bay, 33 Zonglv Road, Dapeng New District, Shenzhen, Guangdong.
InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort
The beachside InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort looks out over Mirs Bay
Billed as a luxury beachfront oasis in Shenzhen, InterContinental Dameisha Resort is picturesquely located between mountains and the Mirs Bay coastline.
The family-friendly hotel offers six restaurants offering western and Chinese cuisine, including French Mediterranean dining spot Azure, and no fewer than five indoor and outdoor pools. The generously-sized outdoor pools include a heated children’s pool with water slide and lots of wet ‘n’ wild entertainment for littlies. Adjacent to the resort are golden sands and a yacht club. The hotel also offers a kids’ club with a variety of activities, enabling parents to slope off and make use of the hotel spa. Accommodation features rooms and suites with ocean and garden views.
Further attractions close to the hotel include Dameisha Seashore Park, the Xiaomeisha Beach Walkway to the Beizaijiao lighthouse and Wutong Mountain National Park.
InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort, 9 Yankui Road, Dameisha Yantian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong.
Andaz Shenzhen Bay
Enjoy the indoor pool and heated vitality pool at Andaz Shenzhen Bay
Enjoy a luxurious stay at this 220-room hotel overlooking Shenzhen Bay in the city’s Nanshan district.
Spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, stylish marble bathrooms and complimentary minibars ensure a relaxed break in one of the most dynamic cities in southern China. Children can splash-down in the hotel’s 19m pool with water jets while parents can relax in the sauna and steam room.
Dining experiences at this sophisticated hotel include tea and cakes at Mayflower, the property’s traditional Chinese teahouse, fresh seafood and signature Cantonese, Shanghai and Sichuan dishes in the East Room and premium meat and seafood cooked in a charcoal oven in the West Room. Casual meals can also be enjoyed overlooking the hotel gardens at The Verandah.
Andaz Shenzhen Bay, 2600 Keyuan Road S, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong.
MGM Shenzhen Xiaomeisha Bay
Xiaomeisha Bay is an emerging seaside destination in Shenzhen
MGM Shenzhen opened in the summer of 2024 and is located in the beachside area of Xiaomeisha Bay to the east of the city.
The hotel and entertainment complex offers 321 ocean-view rooms in 15 room types.The most opulent offering, the Presidential Suite, covers 390msq.
The family-friendly property places entertainment at its core and will host M Shows from Las Vegas with circus acts, magic shows, clown performances and fire dances. There’s also a Leo Kids’ Club with comprehensive childcare services and fun, family-focused activities. Further family-friendly amenities include free cots and infant beds and connecting rooms. Babysitting is available for an additional charge. The hotel is located on a private beach and has two lifeguarded, outdoor pools (open seasonally) and a fitness centre. Fill rumbling tums at the hotel’s four on-site restaurants.
MGM Shenzhen is designed by Cheng Chung Design Hong Kong and incorporates a flowing, ‘S’ curve design inspired by the ocean waves of the hotel’s seaside setting.
MGM Shenzhen Xiaomeisha Bay, 33 Yanmei Road, Yantian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong.
Four Seasons Shenzhen
All-day dining in Foo at Four Seasons Shenzhen
One of the more family-friendly city hotel options, Four Seasons Shenzhen is located in the heart of Futian and is a short drive from the Shenzhen Bay border crossing with Hong Kong, walking distance from high-end shopping malls and parks and a stroll from Shenzhen Museum and Concert Hall. It’s conveniently close to Futian station with high-speed rail links to West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong.
The hotel boasts both indoor and outdoor pools, along with four fine dining spaces. Restaurants include Matsuyi for Japanese cuisine, Asian-focused Foo, Zhuo Yue Xuan for regional Chinese and Cantonese fare and Yi Bar & Lounge. The breakfast buffet is extensive with both western and Chinese dishes spread over the large dining space.
The generously-sized deluxe rooms include large picture windows, desk and chair and sophisticated marble bathrooms with a television-embedded mirror, double vanities and a soaking tub. Club rooms enable access to the Executive Lounge with breakfast, all-day snacks and evening cocktails.
Facilities run to a spa, indoor and outdoor pool, morning tai chi, gym and yoga studio. Children are made to feel welcome with complimentary floaties and bottled water and sunscreen is also provided. As with all Four Seasons properties, rooms are kitted out with dinky bathrobes and slippers for younger guests.
Read our review of Four Seasons Shenzhen here.
Four Seasons Shenzhen, 138 Fuhua Road 3, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong.
The St Regis Shenzhen
Sky-high drinks at The St Regis Bar
Occupying the top 28 floors of the prestigious 100 floor Kingkey 100 building in Shenzhen’s Louhu district, The St Regis Shenzhen commands stellar views over the city.
The hotel’s restaurants are located on the highest levels to make the most of the panorama. Elba offers Italian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine accompanied by a wide selection of wines, while Social has all-day dining. Head to the stunning St Regis Bar and The Drawing Room on the 98th floor for a memorable aperitif.
The hotel has a top-end spa, a fitness centre and an indoor infinity pool and even offers a book-lending library.
The plush rooms and suites include floor-to-ceiling windows and high-speed wifi. The St Regis’ famed butlers are available 24 hours a day.
The St Regis Shenzhen, 5016 Shennan Road East, Luohu District, Shenzhen, Guangdong.
Shangri-La Nanshan, Shenzhen
Treat yourself at the luxurious Shangri-La Nanshan property
Shangri-La Nanshan, Shenzhen, the luxury hospitality group’s 91st global Shangri-La property and its fourth hotel in Shenzhen, opened in the spring of 2024. The property is located on top of the Shenwan Huiyan Center and two MTR stops from Futian high-speed rail station.
Shangri-La Nanshan, Shenzhen sprawls across the top 13 floors of its host building and rooms have sweeping views over Shenzhen Bay and the Hong Kong skyline. There’s a wellness club on the 77th floor and restaurants include all-day dining at Cafe 66 and the Chinese-influenced Summer Palace specialising in Cantonese cuisine paired with modern Chaoshan dishes.
Embracing local art and culture, the design of Shangri-La Nanshan, Shenzhen is inspired by the concept of 'a hundred birds returning to nest', incorporating the decorative essence of traditional Guangzhou Xiguan Mansion architecture. Xiguan Mansions are brick and wood structures that showcase the architectural style of traditional houses in Xiguan in the late Qing Dynasty. Inspiration has also been taken from the landscapes of Shenwan south of Guangzhou.
Shangri-La Nanshan, Block J, Phase 5, Shenwan Huiyun Center, Baishi 3rd Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong.
Raffles Shenzhen
Enjoy a glitzy stay at Raffles Shenzhen in Nanshan district
Located in the city’s Nanshan district, Raffles Shenzhen oozes luxury and offers some of the best views in town.
It’s located on the top floors of the prestigious One Shenzhen Bay Office Building, overlooking bustling Shenzhen Bay and the city below. Rooms and suites offer city or sea views.
The property offers the celebrated Raffles 24-hour butler service as well as a ‘Long Bar with long views’ on the 71st floor with a sensational panorama over the city, a tribute to the original Long Bar at Raffles Singapore. Further upscale dining options include Yun Jing for Cantonese dishes and Kokoni for Japanese cuisine. There’s also a Sky Cafe and a traditional Raffles afternoon tea can be taken in the lounge.
Kids will love a dip in the 25m indoor pool and there’s also a fitness centre and spa while parents will appreciate the elegant spa with treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and fitness centre.
The hotel’s location in Nanshan means it’s close to attractions including Window of the World and Happy Valley adventure park.
Raffles Shenzhen, T7, One Shenzhen Bay, 3008 Zhongxin Road, Shenzhen, Guangdong.
Hotels to look out for
The St Regis Shenzhen Bao’an
St Regis Shenzhen Bao’an is located in the lively Bao’an District of Shenzhen and around 25 minutes from Shenzhen Airport and Futian railway station. This high-end property will offer 289 rooms and suites with views over the city skyline and Shenzhen Bay. Four dining spaces include Yan Ting for Cantonese cuisine, The St Regis Bar for cocktails, The Drawing Room for the brand’s famous afternoon tea and the St Regis Astor Terrace Bar for sunset drinks.
Anticipated opening date: Quarter 1 of 2025.
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