InterContinental Xiamen by IHG

A colossal whale sculpture commissioned from Taipei artist Lin Dingyi swims across the lobby ceiling, which sets the tone for this 289-room hotel in Xiamen's emerging financial district. Ocean-view rooms face Kinmen across the strait, wave-patterned carpets underfoot and sailboats visible at dawn below. The outdoor infinity pool sits level with that same horizon. Two restaurants on the lower floors, including Commune's open show kitchen, round things out nicely.