The Azure Ningbo, Vignette Collection

Ningbo calls itself a city of books, and this luxury hotel takes the hint, building a "Slow Reading Initiative" into the property alongside the expected butler service and indoor pool. Restaurants run from an all-day Western-and-Chinese spot to Lu Yuan, which sticks to Ningbo classics. It's the kind of carefully localized hotel that makes you feel the city rather than just sleep in it.