Openings
Opening 2027

Capella

Capella Nanjing

David Chipperfield-designed, with heritage suites and villas; Capella's third hotel in mainland China.

Nanjing, China

First look

Capella's run through mainland China continues in Nanjing, with an opening reported for 2027. The design is by David Chipperfield, and the room mix is reported to combine heritage suites with standalone villas. A general manager has already been appointed, which usually signals a project moving past the paper stage.

This would be Capella's third hotel in mainland China, after Shanghai and the Hainan resort, so the brand clearly sees room to keep growing there rather than treating any one city as the anchor. Chipperfield is a serious name to attach to a heritage-led property, and the suites-plus-villas format suggests Capella wants this to read as more than a city business hotel. What we will be watching for is how the historic fabric of Nanjing shapes the building, and whether the villa component lands as genuinely residential or just a premium room category.

Not yet scored. We publish a Fat Score only once a hotel is open and real guests have stayed and written about it — this is a first look, not a verdict.

Open now

What you can book today

Capella Nanjingis still under wraps. Here's what's already open and scored in our collection — more from Capella, and nearby in China.

Capella Bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand
Fat Favorite

Capella

Capella Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand

Capella Bangkok has earned its status as the #1 hotel on the World's 50 Best list through a combination of flawless execution and genuine Thai warmth. This riverside sanctuary delivers the intimate, residential feel that Bill Bensley's design intended — just 101 rooms and villas scattered across lush gardens along the Chao Phraya. The service operates at an entirely different level: staff know your name, anticipate your preferences, and create those small moments that transform a stay into a memory. While the location requires commitment to shuttles or taxis for city exploration, that seclusion becomes an asset when you're poolside watching longtail boats drift past. The breakfast alone justifies the rates — a full à la carte menu plus exceptional pastries that guests return for even after checking out.

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Capella Ubud — Ubud, Indonesia
Fat Legend

Capella

Capella Ubud

Ubud, Indonesia

Bill Bensley's Capella Ubud is theatrical luxury at its finest—a tented camp where every canvas pavilion tells the story of a 19th-century European explorer, complete with copper bathtubs and saltwater pools carved into the Keliki Valley jungle. The service operates at an almost psychic level, with staff who remember your coffee preferences by day two and arrange doctors when needed. Yes, you're paying premium rates to sleep in what's technically a tent, but when that tent has museum-quality antiques and you're falling asleep to jungle symphonies, the magic justifies the expense. The only real weakness is accessibility—those romantic riverside tents require serious hiking, and the design prioritizes atmosphere over practical conveniences like proper lighting controls.

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Amanfayun — Hangzhou, China
Fat Favorite

Aman

Amanfayun

Hangzhou, China

Amanfayun occupies a reconstructed Tang Dynasty village within the sacred grounds of Lingyin Temple, creating perhaps the most spiritually resonant setting in Aman's portfolio. The property stretches along an ancient pilgrimage path through bamboo groves and courtyards, with direct temple access that allows guests to join morning prayers before tourist crowds arrive. While service can feel inconsistent compared to other Aman properties — some staff struggle with English and occasional lapses in training show — the profound sense of place and architectural authenticity more than compensate. The vegetarian restaurant and Hangzhou House both deliver exceptional culinary experiences rooted in local tradition.

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The Peninsula Hong Kong — Hong Kong, China
Fat Approved

The Peninsula

The Peninsula Hong Kong

Hong Kong, China

The Peninsula Hong Kong remains the grande dame of Asia luxury, delivering old-world service standards that put newer properties to shame. The legendary afternoon tea in the soaring lobby and fleet of Rolls-Royces aren't just theater — they're the visible markers of a hotel where staff-to-guest ratios feel lavish and every interaction is polished. Yes, the rooms show their 2013 renovation age with green marble bathrooms that feel dated, but harbor views from upper floors are unmatched and the Tsim Sha Tsui location keeps you steps from the Star Ferry and subway. This is classic luxury hospitality that newer brands struggle to replicate, even if the hard product no longer leads Hong Kong's luxury race.

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From the desk

Get the first-look verdict

We publish our verdict the week Capella Nanjing opens. Get it in the monthly note, before the rest of the internet catches up.

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