The Temple House

The best hotel in China. Yeah, I said it!

Sublime, super serene. The I-never-want-to-leave type of hotel. The hotel-that-doesn’t-feel-like-your-typical-luxury-hotel hotel. A peaceful retreat in the heart of the bustling Chengdu. Everything that your soul desires (and deserves!) can be found at this stylish, vibrant oasis AKA The Temple House. See also: Superb restaurants (from a charming teahouse to a swanky Italian restaurant), an award-winning spa (my massage and my shave at the barber = perfect), an art gallery, a gorgeous library, a beautiful heated pool, a large, great gym, a hip-as-hell bar, and the excellent etc. In addition, The Temple House is a total design dream, starting with its breathtaking entrance: Guests enter through an arch which leads you into a tranquil, bamboo-trees-lined, 100-year-old restored courtyard building built in the Qing Dynasty where Instagram-friendly traditional Chinese lanterns artfully dangle from trees. (The hotel is BIG on green. There’s several gorgeous courtyard gardens, which are bordered by two L-shaped medium rise buildings, one for hotel rooms and the other for serviced apartments for long-term guests. The sprawling lawn, which you walk past when heading to the elevator to your room, is a stunner.) Oh, and The Temple House is also big on art, spanning a wild range of mediums: digital art, sculptures and paintings are found throughout The Temple House, whether strolling around the terrace or waiting for the elevators. And don’t get me started on the perfection that are the rooms! The city views! The bed! That rain-shower… that bath!! In short, heaven on earth! Everything.

Chengdu, China. In the heart of the popular shopping area called Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li, which is filled with authentic restaurants, temples, luxury stores, etc. AND SO MUCH HOT POT!

100 guest rooms and 42 adjoining serviced apartments

Mostly chill, ambient tunes. Unless you’re in JING, their bar, where DJs often spin bops.

July 2015

By internationally-renowned Make Architects, who succeeded majorly at echoing Chengdu’s landscape and traditional architectural elements (See also: bamboo, brick, stone, timber) with a mesmerizing modern aesthetic. And jointly developed by Sino-Ocean Land and Swire Properties.

Yes. Immaculate. Love the zen-y lighting, too. Make sure to also stop by The Temple House’s spa, MI XUN. Sanctuary!

Yes! Don’t miss breakfast and/or lunch at The Temple Café. I especially loved MI XUN TEAHOUSE, which serves exciting vegetarian Chinese dishes. The veggies for the hot pot were interesting and so yummy. But you also must order some cold appetizers (I loved the ice plant with sesame dressing and the sea coral with green chili), the hot dishes (the braised mapo tofu in wild mushroom sauce was everything!), and dim sum (I’m stilling dreaming of the homemade steamed dumplings with water chestnut, sweet corn and carrot). The setting of MI XUN is so cute and calm, especially the outdoor area -- More beautiful hanging lanterns. In the evening, you’ve gotta hit up The Temple House’s chic Italian restaurant, TIVANO. So so good.

Yep, the hippest bar in Chengdu: JING. The cocktails are KILLER! You must order at least one Sichuan Negroni. The setting = so stylish. DJ sets! Also, outdoor seating with a slew of luxurious hanging planters.

Best minibar, ever. First of all, they call it a MAXIBAR. In other words, it’s stocked with complimentary soft drinks, beers, juice, water as well as coffee, a great tea selection and a selection of infusions. And definitely help yourself to the sweets.

Yes. But please don’t allow them run all over the gorgeous lawn and ruin my zen!

Really good prices for what you get: HEAVEN.

https://www.thetemplehousehotel.com/en/default

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