The Temple House, named for the nearby Daci Temple, is situated in Chengdu, China, and the capital of China’s Sichuan province — more informally known as the home to spicy hot pots and adorable pandas. Yet while cultural exploration is a priority for this property — the hotel’s stunning entrance is set within a Qing Dynasty-era building and the historic temple is mere steps away — the overall experience is quite modern, complete with sleek guest room decor and amenities, as well as services that focus on wellness, contemporary art, and even sustainability. The hotel also sits next to the posh Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li shopping and entertainment center, so you won’t have to go very far to experience the stylish side of the city. The Temple House is the third hotel within The House Collective, a group of four luxe boutique hotels in Asia. And although each distinct property works its hotel magic in different ways, the purpose of all four remains the same: to provide guests the best of both Eastern and Western luxury.

The Basics

Budget Level: Luxe ($300+/night)

Lodging Type: Boutique hotel (100 guest rooms and an additional 42 residences for longer stays). 

What You Need to Know 

The Look:

The historic courtyard entrance to the hotel is eye-catching to say the least, and gives guests a whimsical first impression of the property, thanks to several pink-hued lanterns that are strung across its path. The lobby, which is located within the courtyard house, is an understated and small affair with a check-in desk on the left, complete with a small sitting area on the right. Guests are often escorted directly to their room by a staffer (which is a necessary touch, as the guest rooms are set within a very modern tower apart from the lobby). The guest rooms themselves feature a mix of light, dark, and neutral tones along with light oak furniture in the bedrooms and black walls and counters in the bathrooms — with a giant white oval soaking tub as the focal point. What's more, all of the latest technology is offered within the rooms, including the option to order room service through the television.

The Vibe:

Chic and very cosmopolitan. This hotel would easily fit in anywhere in trendy SoHo, New York or London, and its restaurant and bars court a design-minded crowd of travelers and stylish locals alike. The Temple Café is the property's casual eatery that serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both Western and Asian options (the Dan Dan noodles are a must-try), while the glamorous Tivano restaurant serves Italian cuisine in a sophisticated setting. The property also boasts the adorable Mi Xun Teahouse, which offers a delightful hot pot experience with both healthy and vegan options, while the JING bar serves up a sultry and seductive ambiance that's perfect for a nightcap. 

Who Will Love It:

Guests who tend to prefer luxury amenities will feel right at home here. Also, despite the cosmopolitan atmosphere, the hotel is also family-friendly and caters to younger guests with adorable Panda-themed activity kits.

Who Might Not:

If you’re looking for an authentic and traditional Chinese lodging, this may not be the place for you — the hotel is incredibly design-forward and stays on-trend from its hip artwork, design, services, and technology.

Best Amenity:

Hands-down, the indoor swimming pool — which is complete with a striking circular skylight that takes up almost the entire length of the pool.

What’s Included:

Each room includes complimentary “maxibar” items (water, soft drinks, beer, and sweets) as well as free in-room coffee and tea. Wifi is also free, but most of your typical websites will be restricted (i.e. Facebook and Google), due to Chinese laws.

Money Matters 

Fees and Extra Costs:

Taxes and services charges are not included in your room rate. 

How to Get a Deal:

Book directly through the hotel’s website for the best rates and package options.

Getting There

In the Neighborhood:

Aside from the Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li shopping and entertainment center, the hotels is about a 15-minute walk to Shuijingfang Museum, which is built on the site of the first baijiu Chinese wine distillery (a traditional distilled alcoholic beverage that's also considered China's national drink). In addition, if you're looking to experience authentic Chinese street food, stands and shops are easy to find as soon as you step off property. However, note that the the city's popular Wide and Narrow Alley is about a 10- to 15-minute car ride from the hotel, and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is about a half-hour away. 

Chengdu International Airport is about a 45-minute ride from the hotel. A taxi will cost approximately 80¥ (or about 12 USD). You can also take the train or hire one of the hotel's cars to pick you up from the airport.

The Bottom Line

There really isn’t any other hotel in Chengdu that seamlessly blends a modern hotel stay with ancient Chinese culture.