Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen

Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen sits in Futian, the central business and civic district of Shenzhen, where glass towers, the city library, the concert hall and the Civic Center are arranged around a green spine of parks. The hotel belongs to a global luxury brand known for polished, quiet service, and it is one of the most refined places to stay in the city. Rooms are placed high above the street, with long views over the towers, the park and, on clear days, the hills to the north. It is priced at the top of the market, which makes it the natural pick for honeymooners, executives and anyone who wants Shenzhen at its most comfortable. The Futian location also puts you close to the metro, so the luxury does not isolate you from the city.

Shenzhen is a young city, built almost entirely since the late twentieth century, and Futian is its showpiece. The wide boulevards, the landscaped Central Park and the cluster of cultural buildings give the district a calm, planned feel that contrasts with the dense markets and electronics streets in other parts of the city. Staying here means you are within reach of the Shenzhen Museum, the Shenzhen Library, the Concert Hall and the Lianhuashan Park viewpoint, with shopping malls and restaurants at the base of nearly every tower.

Transport is a strength. The Futian area is served by several metro lines, which connect to Futian Checkpoint for the crossing to Hong Kong, to Luohu for the older border crossing, to the high-speed railway at Futian and to the central business streets. Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is reachable by metro or taxi in around forty-five minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, and a taxi to the Hong Kong border can be quick in the early morning.

If you plan to cross into Hong Kong, check visa and entry requirements well before you travel, as they depend on your nationality.

Rooms and facilities at this level are what you would expect: spacious, soundproofed and quiet, with large beds, deep bathrooms and good views. Hotels of this class usually have several restaurants, including Chinese cooking with Cantonese influences, a lounge or bar, and a spa and fitness centre. Check when you book which facilities are available and whether breakfast is included. Cantonese dim sum, roast goose and seafood are specialities of the region, and the hotel restaurants are a good place to try them if you want to eat in comfort.

This hotel suits couples, business travellers and visitors marking a special occasion. It is less suited to travellers watching costs or those who want to spend their evenings in the lively street markets of Dongmen and Luohu, although both are a metro ride away. Prices rise during trade fairs and holiday periods, so book early if your dates coincide with a major event. Ask about airport transfers, late check-out and city views when you reserve, and read the cancellation terms before you confirm.