Checking into the World's 101st Ritz-Carlton and Overlooking Jinling from Above

Nanjing, one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals with a history stretching back over 2,500 years, is recognized by UNESCO as a City of Literature.

Nanjing is home to numerous global enterprises and a profound cultural legacy. Its wealth of scenic spots and historic sites — the Qinhuai River, Confucius Temple, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and more — draw visitors from all over the world.

This time, the much-anticipated opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Nanjing has also brought hotel aficionados flocking to tick it off their lists.

As the first Ritz-Carlton in Jiangsu and the 101st Ritz-Carlton hotel in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Nanjing has caused quite a stir within the industry. On opening day, besides the top management of the hotel group, notable figures such as Yu Feihong, Zhang Han and He Sui were also in attendance.

Today, let’s follow the lens of Meizhanjun to discover what this “salon in the city” has to offer.

Approaching the hotel by car, you will notice that the outer landscaping draws on the layout of a traditional Chinese garden. Alongside the roadway, there are artificial rockeries, ornamental shrubs and flowers, and ten towering arhat pines. These pines, it is said, were imported from Japan as superior trees over a century old and expertly pruned into the classic welcoming-pine silhouette.

The Chinese garden outside, with its plants, little bridges and flowing water, artfully separates the busy street from the hotel entrance, allowing guests to step from the hustle and bustle of downtown Nanjing directly into a serene, harmonious retreat.

Standing at the hotel’s main entrance is a marble sculpture commissioned from an emerging Colombian artist. The artist chose Clara marble, the most expensive and refined of all marbles, and drew deep inspiration from Nanjing’s cultural history and the hotel’s location to create this piece entitled “Rhythm”.

The sculpture’s lines are crisp, graceful and elegantly dynamic. The interplay of shifting light and breeze across the smooth, silk‑like surface of the Clara marble creates ever‑changing effects. Blending perfectly with the surroundings — architecture, landscape, time and space — it performs a visual concerto of rhythm.

The hotel’s interior design masterfully merges Eastern aesthetics with Western classicism, achieving a harmonious, captivating beauty rich in texture. The Chinese Five Elements — metal, wood, water, fire and earth — are woven through the entire design via spatial arrangements and carefully chosen artworks, presenting guests with an appeal that bridges ancient and modern.

Pass through the golden doors into the hotel. On the ground‑floor arrival lobby — a soaring space meant only as a welcome area — a sofa to the left offers a brief respite, while the concierge is at the opposite end. To check in, guests take the elevator up to the 38th floor.

In this lobby stand two enormous ceramic sculptures by a Japanese‑American artist. These works embody the fusion of Eastern craftsmanship and Western modern sensibility, perfectly illustrating the concept of convergence.

On a wall in the first‑floor elevator hall is a multimedia video installation by Macao artist Wu Shaoying, depicting the fluid interplay of ink and gold powder.

When the elevator doors open on the 38th floor, the first thing that catches the eye is the lobby lounge. Its design continues the blend of Chinese and Western elements: from the exquisite coffered ceiling to sleek Western furniture and a collection of artifacts and books that bridge both cultures, everything speaks of integration.

Scattered around the lounge are crystal vases from St. Louis, the world’s oldest crystal manufacturer, now part of the Hermès Group — an absolute luxury in crystal.

Shelves throughout the lounge hold books from across the globe on philosophy, literature, art, architecture, botany and flowers, imbued with a sense of vitality. The hotel hopes guests will find relaxation, reflection and tranquility here, engaging intimately with the diverse cultures and long histories of East and West, sparking new inspiration — all while enjoying the magnificent skyline views outside the window.

The afternoon tea in the lobby lounge has already become a popular gathering spot, attracting a stream of stylish social-media influencers eager to snap photos.

At either end of the lounge are two additional Clara marble sculptures, one named “Valley” and the other “Seed”, symbolizing life force. Throughout the hotel’s art collection, alongside the theme of fusion, the vitality of nature is another major motif.

Behind the reception desk hang two works representing East‑meets‑West: at the centre, Chen Qi’s Chinese carved lacquer panel “Wormhole”, flanked symmetrically by a pair of ceramic sculptures by a Japanese artist.

“Wormhole” is one of Chen Qi’s best‑known series; other pieces from this series, rendered on paper, metal and other materials, are displayed elsewhere in the hotel, inviting guests to ponder the passage of time.

In the lobby seating area, crystal vases from Baccarat — reputedly the world’s priciest crystal brand, famed for its colourful crystal creations — are on show. Baccarat crystal ornaments appear in numerous spots throughout the hotel.

On the wall at the far end of the lobby hangs an artwork group that encapsulates the hotel’s East‑meets‑West narrative. It is the most important collection in this grand “salon”. These eight pieces are all linked to Nanjing and its art history:

a seven‑character quatrain in running script by Tang Bohu, one of the Four Great Talents of Jiangnan;

a fan painting of orchids, bamboo and rocks by Ma Shouzhen (Ma Xianglan), one of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai;

“Yunlin’s Outing” by Fu Baoshi;

an impressionist‑style modern oil painting by Su Tianci;

“Butterfly Play” by Xu Lele;

“Dialogue with Ingres No. 1” by Gao Yun;

“Lotus and Mandarin Ducks” by Jiang Hongwei;

and a small‑regular‑script transcription of four Tang poems handwritten by Guan Jun.

Every evening at sunset, a lighting ceremony in the lobby lounge immerses guests in Nanjing’s refined and authentic traditions. The lotus lantern symbolises the Qinhuai River, Nanjing’s mother river and the muse for countless poets and scholars over the centuries.

As music plays and the lights dim, a graceful lady in an elegant qipao glides through the lobby carrying a lotus lantern.

To the right of the lobby is the all‑day dining restaurant, LAVANDULA, whose theme is the atmosphere of southern France — lavandula means lavender in French. From decor and artwork selection to tableware and cuisine, every detail evokes the charm of Provence, allowing diners to savour the sunny, laid‑back feel of lavender fields with all their senses.

This restaurant is the hotel’s prime example of classic Western design.

The glass dome at its innermost part is the literal and figurative culmination, showcasing the splendour of Western architecture to perfection. The bright, well‑ordered space creates a romantic French ambience, delivering a feast for both eyes and palate.

Breakfast is a full buffet, while lunch offers a semi‑buffet: salads and desserts are self‑service, and main courses can be ordered à la carte, with highlights such as prime steaks and seafood towers.

On the 39th floor are two Chinese restaurants: Pin Ning Fu and Di Yue Xuan. Pin Ning Fu focuses on refined Nanjing cuisine rooted in the acclaimed Huaiyang tradition, telling a taste‑led story of the Jiangnan region.

An open kitchen allows guests to watch the culinary team at work.

Next door, Di Yue Xuan selects premium seafood and seasonal ingredients to present authentic Cantonese dishes.

The restaurant features several private dining rooms with floor‑to‑ceiling windows, so diners can enjoy exquisite food while overlooking the cityscape.

The hotel’s Chinese Executive Chef, Mr. Zeng Weiqiao from Hong Kong, brings extensive Michelin‑starred experience; every dish we tasted was meticulously crafted — a delight for both the palate and the eye.

The 40th floor is an urban oasis above the bustling city, housing the fitness centre, swimming pool and spa. Guests can work up a sweat in the well‑equipped gym, meditate or stretch in the yoga studio, or swim in the naturally lit indoor heated pool.

The spa incorporates local elements such as the lotus and mineral‑rich Yuhua stones into a range of innovative facial and body treatments, including the Lotus Purifying Facial and the Yuhua Hot‑Stone Massage, allowing guests to experience the rich local culture in a unique way while rejuvenating body and soul.

Spa rooms are not identified by numbers but by different Yuhua stones native to Nanjing.

The relaxation lounge is fitted with business‑class recliners; after a treatment, sinking into one and sipping a delicate tea while drinking in the city views is pure bliss.

Spa treatment rooms and public areas

To reach the guest rooms, you switch elevators from the lobby and walk through a water‑featured corridor — a layout that ensures maximum privacy for hotel guests.

The hotel offers 295 elegantly comfortable rooms, including 32 suites with kitchens and dining areas. Designed by Design Studio Spin, the interiors artfully combine Eastern aesthetics with Western classicism through meticulous spatial arrangements and carefully selected artworks, creating a harmonious, captivating elegance rich in texture.

On this stay, I was assigned a Deluxe Lake‑View King Room on the 42nd floor, with floor‑to‑ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Xuanwu Lake.

The room is filled with thoughtful details, infusing Nanjing’s culture into its very fabric. A curated selection of 40 books pays homage to Nanjing’s status as a UNESCO City of Literature; each of these books is closely tied to Nanjing, and guests can browse several of them in their room. At the centre of the golden display shelf holding the books stands a renowned work by Nanjing printmaker Chen Qi, “Lotus”, evoking pleasant daydreams.

A beautiful tea set called “Tender Lotus Embraced by Dew” also catches the eye — a bespoke creation by Tan Zhijian, an inheritor of Yixing celadon craftsmanship, a Jiangsu intangible‑cultural‑heritage item.

Behind the bed, a Su‑style embroidery piece, “Lotus Charm”, by nationally recognised intangible‑cultural‑heritage inheritor Liang Xuefang, celebrates the beauty of nature’s life cycle.

By the window, next to the sofa, a welcome amenity is displayed: not only a delicate sugar‑sculpted lotus lantern but also a “Yuhua Pavilion” cocktail blended from Nanjing’s Yuhua tea and gin.

In the bathroom, a deep‑soaking tub by the window — custom‑made from 3.5 mm‑thick steel plate by German luxury brand Kaldewei — lets you bathe with a sky‑high view. A separate wet‑room equipped with golden royal‑grade Dornbracht fixtures and TOTO Washlet toilets underscores the Ritz‑Carlton’s commitment to luxury.

The hotel’s 9th and 11th floors house over 2,200 square metres of banquet and meeting space. These elegant, versatile venues, supported by the attentive and professional service of our ladies and gentlemen, are ideal for corporate events, intimate gatherings and romantic weddings.

The spacious foyer is perfect for cocktail receptions and coffee breaks during conferences.

The meeting‑floor lounge also includes private rest rooms where refreshments can be served.

There are seating areas with floor‑to‑ceiling glass.

Guests who smoke can step out onto the hotel’s outdoor terrace and indulge themselves freely.

The Ritz‑Carlton, Nanjing also offers a number of tailor‑made experiences for its guests, such as cruising the Outer Qinhuai River while enjoying a refined afternoon tea.

The hotel is located on Xinjiekou, Nanjing’s famed commercial hub, a 50‑minute drive from Nanjing Lukou International Airport and 25 minutes from Nanjing South Railway Station. Directly connected to the metro via Deji Plaza shopping mall, it offers easy access to the city’s major attractions.

You can explore the Qinhuai River

visit the Nanjing Science and Technology Museum

or take a trip to the Niushoushan Scenic Area.