InterContinental One Thousand Island Lake Resort

The InterContinental hotels and resorts are a versatile bunch, setting up shop in city centers and resort destinations alike. In China, in particular, they lay claim to some truly spectacular locales — like this one, on a peninsula stretching out into the waters of Qiandao Lake, which is indeed dotted with over a thousand forested islands. This is the descriptively named InterContinental One Thousand Island Lake Resort, set right at the water’s edge, looking out over the lake at the distant mountain peaks.

Its 264 rooms and suites are styled in a manner that’s both modern and traditional, but always subtle, the better to draw the eye to the windows; some units face into the forest, others straight out to the lake, but all benefit from the tranquility of their natural surroundings. They range a bit in size and plan but they’re universally spacious, with spa-like bathrooms containing rain showers and separate bathtubs.

Better than spa-like bathrooms is an actual spa, in this case a lavish one with nine treatment rooms and an indoor and outdoor pool. There’s a very well-equipped kids’ club as well, in case your children aren’t quite satisfied with blissful contemplation of nature. And the hotel’s multiple restaurants include Chinese, Japanese, and European options.