Fairmont Xiamen

Twelve floors above Xiamen's Huli District waterfront, Fairmont Xiamen anchors the eastern shore of the island with views across the strait toward Gulangyu. The hotel's 9.6 rating across its first eight reviews points to a property still in opening-year polish.

Rooms arrive with soundproofing, sofa seating, minibar, and private bathrooms with full bathtubs, bathrobes, and slippers. The spa covers couples' massages, facial and body treatments, and a sauna alongside the indoor pool and Jacuzzi. A personal trainer and scheduled fitness classes round out the wellness floor.

Donghuang Road places the hotel roughly 20 minutes from Zhongshan Road's pedestrian shopping core and 30 minutes from the Gulangyu ferry terminal. Bicycle rentals at the concierge desk offer a quieter way to trace the coastal path north toward Guanyin Mountain.