Shangri-La Nanshan, Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a city that seems determined to keep moving forward. Its skyline changes quickly, new districts appear almost overnight, and the energy of the city is difficult to ignore. In Nanshan, one of Shenzhen’s most dynamic areas, Shangri-La Nanshan takes that urban experience quite literally to another level. Occupying the upper floors of a modern tower in the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base, the hotel combines impressive views with the polished Asian hospitality for which Shangri-La is known.
The height is one of the first things that distinguishes the property. Its 272 rooms and suites are located between the 67th and 75th floors, giving guests wide views across Shenzhen and, from many rooms, Shenzhen Bay. Floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the setting, and even the entry-level rooms are generously sized at around 43 square metres. The interiors have a contemporary feel, using stone, wood and softer decorative elements rather than relying on the flashy look sometimes associated with newer luxury hotels in China.
There is also a clear attempt to connect the design with southern China. Lingnan garden influences appear throughout the hotel, mixed with more modern Western design ideas. Instead of feeling like a conventional skyscraper hotel, several public areas are intended to resemble elevated gardens and courtyards. It is an interesting approach in a city where glass, steel and technology often dominate the visual landscape.
Rooms facing Shenzhen Bay are naturally among the most appealing, particularly around sunset when the light changes across the water and surrounding towers. Guests staying in Horizon rooms and higher categories also receive access to the Horizon Club on the 66th floor. The lounge offers breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and refreshments as well as additional services such as dedicated check-in and check-out. For travellers spending a few days in Shenzhen on business, the extra space and quieter atmosphere can be particularly useful.
Dining is spread across several venues. Café 66, the hotel’s all-day restaurant, sits on the 66th floor and serves a mixture of Asian dishes and Western-style cuisine. Its design continues the garden theme, with greenery, an open kitchen and a semi-open outdoor area. Breakfast is served here each morning, making the city view part of the experience before guests have even started their day.
For a more traditional Chinese meal, Summer Palace on the fourth floor focuses on Cantonese and Chaoshan cooking alongside contemporary interpretations. The restaurant has ten private dining rooms, making it suitable for family gatherings and business dinners as well as a more formal evening meal. Back on the 66th floor, the Lobby Lounge offers a very different atmosphere. During the afternoon it is a relaxed place for tea and coffee, while later in the day cocktails and wine accompany the changing views over Shenzhen.
The hotel also makes good use of its altitude when it comes to wellness. The Wellness Club is located on the 77th floor and includes an indoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, fitness facilities and spa treatment areas. Exercising with a panoramic view across one of China’s largest cities certainly makes a change from the windowless gyms found in many urban hotels.
Location is another strength. Shangri-La Nanshan is connected to the RAIL IN shopping mall and sits only around 100 metres from Hongshuwan South Metro Station. Shenzhen Bay Port is approximately 3.3 kilometres away, making the hotel especially practical for travellers combining Shenzhen with Hong Kong. Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is around 27 kilometres from the property.
There is plenty to admire about Shangri-La Nanshan, but the views are likely to be what many guests remember longest. Shenzhen already feels futuristic at street level; seeing its towers, roads and waterways spread out far below makes the scale of the city considerably more apparent. Add spacious rooms, strong dining options and easy transport connections, and Shangri-La Nanshan becomes an attractive base for experiencing one of China’s most fascinating modern cities.
