Since last year, it seems that the trend of tourism has been leaning towards the northern regions. At the start of the year, the popularity of Zibo’s rolled pancakes saw barbecue restaurant owners losing 10 pounds in a month!
With the conclusion of the Asian Games, going to Tianjin to watch the diving performances has become a new fashionable way to carry on the spirit of sports. Not to mention this year, with the booming tourism in cities like Yichun and Tianshui.
Taking advantage of this wave of “northern heat,” I traveled to Dalian, a coastal area in early April, solely to visit one of the most significant new hotels in northern China this year—the Four Seasons Hotel Dalian. Today, not only do I have a freshly baked report on my stay, but there’s also a delicious grand opening package at the end!
I find it quite strange that, despite Dalian being a tourist city, the last luxury hotel to open here was nearly a decade ago. Four Seasons is equally “slow-paced,” having only nine locations in China since its arrival in Shanghai in 2002. The collaboration between these two entities, known for their meticulous craftsmanship, has resulted in the creation of the Dalian Four Seasons Hotel, representing the 2.0 era of hotels in this city.
The presence of luxury brand hotels in Northeast China is indeed rare, but Four Seasons’ choice of Dalian was completely within my expectations. Dalian has the sea, but it offers so much more than that. As a harbor and naval city, the 41-story high location of the Four Seasons provides a panoramic view of the bustling daily activities at the Dalian port. After all, sea views are valuable no matter where you find them, and especially in Northeast China.
The Four Seasons is visually impressive, but it offers much more than just good looks. If hotel design were a standardized exam, Dalian Four Seasons would undoubtedly score top marks. By playing with tones and decorations, the hotel transforms into a luxurious train racing through the seasons; spring, summer, autumn, and winter blend smoothly within the hotel, making it highly photogenic! As for why it’s associated with trains, you’ll understand as we proceed.
Because of the West Lake Four Seasons, I have a particularly positive view of Four Seasons restaurants. Dalian, as the first location in Northeast China, has certainly come prepared. Shortly after its opening, the hotel has already made a name for itself in Dalian, which is renowned for its competitive Japanese cuisine scene. Omakase starts from 498 CNY, which thoroughly trounces the average 1000 CNY per person from similar venues in Hangzhou. With the top-tier luxury of Four Seasons and Omakase, I genuinely recommend that even if you don’t stay at the Four Seasons while in Dalian, you must dine here.
The report on my room is from yesterday, while this text is being composed as I write now. Now, let me introduce the hotel in detail. The Four Seasons Dalian is located at Dalian Binhai Bay, Donggang. This area is part of the emerging CBD of Dalian, yet it is also very close to the old downtown business district around People’s Road, making it easily accessible by foot. Just 500 meters away is the subway Line 2, providing convenient access to tourist attractions and shopping areas.
The architectural design is from the NBBJ architecture firm in the USA (known for works such as the Tencent building, Alipay, and Amazon Headquarters), occupying the 23rd to 41st floors of the hotel, while the interior design is crafted by HBA and Stickland, familiar names who have previously worked on the Four Seasons hotels in Guangzhou, Beijing, and Kyoto.
To address the earlier question: Dalian was once an unnamed fishing village on the Liaodong Peninsula, and in the last century evolved into a vital port city connecting China’s northern regions with Japan, and beyond through both maritime and rail transport. This historical context greatly inspired the design of the Four Seasons Hotel, likening it to a luxurious train set to journey through the four seasons.
Isn’t it said that curiosity is the first step towards love? A good hotel should have beautiful design elements that spark curiosity in guests, which leads them to discover the stories behind the city.
The hotel’s first floor serves as a welcoming lobby, themed around the unforgettable ice and snow winters of Northeast China. Even before reaching the lobby, you can hand over your luggage at the welcome area, and it will be delivered directly to your room.
On one side of the welcome area is the dessert shop, FRESCA. Unlike many luxury brands that adopt a high-cold approach, Four Seasons is known for its approachable demeanor; non-resident guests can also start experiencing the flavors and services of Four Seasons here.
The hotel lobby is located on the 41st floor, boasting the most stunning high-altitude sea views throughout the hotel. The winter ambiance on this floor is even more pronounced, with iconic snowflake lights descending and a mirrored installation below that resembles an icy seascape.
Above the spiral staircase leading from the lobby to the restaurant hangs another “ice drop” chandelier. Even though I have never visited Dalian in the winter, it feels as if I’ve already seen her frozen visage.
After dinner, I strolled through the hotel, and didn’t the snowflakes look like bursting fireworks against the night sky?
Today, one of Dalian’s hottest spots must be the Port East Fifth Street, where hundreds of people gather daily to capture the moment a cruise ship glides into the frame. The cruise ship departs from a dock located right beneath the Four Seasons hotel, and as soon as you step into the lobby, you’ll see it.
Moving into the guest room area on the high floors usually requires a change of elevators; however, at the Dalian Four Seasons, the elevators serve a role in setting the seasonal theme.
Design indeed is a profound discipline; just changing the curve at the corner instantly gives the corridor to the guest rooms the feel of a train car. At the elevator entrance, a long bench resembling a train waiting area is set up for guest comfort.
Even the room keycard features a rail track design, as if it were a ticket for this seasonal train journey.
The guest rooms at Dalian Four Seasons are places where I believe the hotel’s quality truly shines. Starting at 44 square meters, the spatial layout is particularly efficient. The walls are adorned with wooden finishes and soft wall coverings instead of easily maintained wallpaper, and the warm “Mallard” color palette instantly creates an autumn ambiance.
I absolutely love the ITV version of “Murder on the Orient Express,” and this legendary train now epitomizes luxury rail travel. The Four Seasons Dalian cleverly designs the bedside table and bathroom shelves to resemble travel trunks, as if embarking on a train journey.
Double sinks and a bathtub are standard in all rooms, with toiletries from the prestigious French fragrance brand Diptyque. I have personally purchased several bottles of their floral scents; in this genre, no one can surpass them. Diptyque selected the Magnolia collection for Four Seasons, which is quite assertive in scent.
The luxury brand’s ethos is evident in their use of high-quality items without sparing any costs. Rather than merely focusing on the lavish hardware that can be acquired with money, I want to emphasize the exceptional guest experience. The adjustable lighting with four different settings is extremely user-friendly, and the mattress provides excellent support for the back, ensuring a comfortable sleep.
The eco-conscious approach is reflected in amenities such as bamboo toothbrushes that come with dental floss and small brushes—thoughtful touches that only those with braces would truly appreciate.
While the room already satisfied my expectations, to my surprise, the most favorite design elements of the entire hotel can be found in the six restaurants. Beyond the FRESCA dessert shop on the first floor, the weekend lobby bar was already fully booked, especially the sea-view tables which were snapped up immediately. The design feels reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland,” making it incredibly photogenic.
The all-day dining restaurant, Huihai, which also features stunning sea views, boasts red brick walls and gaslight-style decor, making it resemble a European port seafood market.
Here are some photos of Four Seasons’ breakfast offerings. There are plenty of options available. The pastries from the bakery are outstanding, and please promise me you’ll try the puff pastry egg tart!
The Chinese restaurant, Xiyuexuan, takes a different route, focusing on high-end Cantonese cuisine and wood-fired roasted duck.
The highly cost-effective Japanese restaurant, Shiyalou, offers sushi prepared on-site as well as a la carte options. I strongly recommend you try the sushi bar experience. The Japanese cuisine in Dalian is on par with the top levels in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, and with its cost-effectiveness, it stands unrivaled in the country.
The chef continuously adjusted the upcoming dishes based on my feedback, allowing me to indulge in the sweetest and freshest sea urchins, clams, and large scallops of this season! The Omakase starts from 498 CNY (including service charges); similar quality sets in Shanghai would cost at least double that.
Another highly popular spot since its opening is the Harbour Bar, designed to pay homage to the adventurous spirit of the great maritime era, echoing the characteristics of Dalian as a port city. The more I look at this bar, the more I like it; achieving beauty in complex design is significantly more challenging than in minimalist styles.
The executive lounge is situated on the 33rd floor and occupies an entire level, offering stunning views of both the sea and city. I didn’t visit during happy hour, so I cannot comment on the food, but compared to the crowded lobby bar on weekends, this place offers a unique sense of tranquility.
With six dining and drinking venues, each featuring drastically different designs, moving through the hotel is akin to transitioning between seasons via elevator. I truly fell in love with the noticeable warmth difference between the various spaces.
In stark contrast to the restaurants, the spa and wellness center at Dalian Four Seasons has been designed around a vibrant summer theme. The indoor pool is not large but quite exquisite, featuring a massage pool and a children’s pool.
The gym offers sea views and is equipped with a full set of PRECOR machines. Running facing the sea feels akin to jogging along the coast.
Four Seasons maintains high standards for its spas; while more and more high-end hotels are opting for third-party partnerships, Four Seasons continues to operate its spa independently.
The Dalian Four Seasons officially began welcoming guests on March 1, and now all public areas are ready. After staying for two nights and exploring various areas of the hotel, I can honestly say I didn’t notice any lingering smell of renovation.
I also estimate that your order of preference for this Four Seasons aligns with mine: it begins with brand loyalty, followed by an appreciation for aesthetics, and ultimately culminates in devotion to service.
Daily housekeeping twice a day; staff approaching guests with children, offering assistance; and the ability of staff to recall the last menu for guests who have dined twice at Shiyalou within a month—Four Seasons as a consistently high-performing luxury brand has once again elevated hotel service in Northeast China to the next level.
Now, I can finally share the offers. This is the first promotional offer for the grand opening of the Dalian Four Seasons. Purchase channels are available on the Amap app; simply search for “Dalian Four Seasons Hotel Package.”
As always, no appointment is required for cancellations, and expired offers automatically refund, with support for using Huabei for purchase, but repayment is needed the following month. You understand that opening packages, like this one, are a unique opportunity.
– City view king room for two consecutive nights: 2,599 CNY
– City view king room for two consecutive nights + double breakfast (including one child under six free): 2,899 CNY
– City view king room for one night + double breakfast (including one child under six free) + double lunch buffet: 2,099 CNY
Valid from now until July 10, with blackout dates on April 30 to May 4 and June 23 to June 28. An additional 100 CNY charge per room night applies on weekends, and an additional 100 CNY applies on June 9.
The prices currently shown on the hotel calendar reflect the new opening and off-peak season rates; thus, the package offers an even better value! Like Qingdao, Dalian also experiences noticeable seasonal fluctuations in tourism, making it typical for hotel prices to double as the weather improves. So I recommend paying special attention to June, especially during the Duanwu Festival when prices remain stable.
In short, it is during the low-consumption low-season time in Northeast China that the new Four Seasons can afford such outrageous pricing!
The package is valid until early July, missing the summer vacation period, but savvy travelers know this is the most cost-effective time to visit Dalian! First of all, Dalian is the city in Northeast China with the largest area planted with cherry blossoms and the most variations, paired with beautiful foreign architecture, making it astonishingly beautiful! This year, the opening of cherry blossoms has been delayed, so the cherry blossom season in Dalian will last until early May without significant issues.
Starting from early May, Dalian enters the peak period for the eruption of the blue tears phenomenon. Ask any local expert, regarding the coastal areas of Daguan, Bada, and Paili, “Nanpingtan, Beidalian,” Dalian is famous throughout the country for blue tears viewing.
Moreover, Dalian is most abundant in this season, as the land produces cherries, and the sea yields sea urchins in a deluge, akin to a tap that won’t stop running. If you are a foodie, just these two specialties are worth flying in for!
