For first-timers, we'd recommend these three areas. They're all close and easy to get to popular attractions. But each lets you experience a different side of Xiamen.
- Zhongshan Road (retro harbor charm): central, busiest area. Historical arcade pedestrian streets, bay views, and authentic local food are all nearby.
- Twin Towers (modern and artsy vibes): high-rise hotels offer you broader sea and city skyline views. Many cultural spots and creative streets are also around here.
- Yundang Lake (green and peaceful city area): You'll find plenty of chain hotels here, surrounded by leafy lakeside parks, shopping malls, and local restaurants.
We've selected these areas and hotels based on our hotel sourcing specialist, Betty, with 20+ years of experience, our own on-the-ground visits to Xiamen, and insights from our local partners.
Things to Know Before Booking a Hotel in Xiamen
Don't judge a hotel by its location alone. We found that many four-star and even some five-star hotels in Xiamen have relatively small rooms. They are often around 30 sqm and can't offer extra beds.
If you want to stay in a more spacious room or you're traveling with children and need an extra bed, check room types and sizes before booking.
Don't rely too much on the metro, either. Many of Xiamen's attractions aren't directly connected by metro. You'll still need taxis for most popular sights, so consider actual driving times when choosing your hotel.
For First-Timers, Zhongshan Road is the Top Choice
It's located in the most bustling center, easy for you to hail a car to get around. You can reach most popular spots and Xiamen Railway Station within a 20-minute drive.
We'd recommend hotels along Lujiang Road, at the edge of Zhongshan Road, facing the bay and Gulangyu Island. From your room, you can get sea views directly.
The pedestrian street is downstairs. It's easy to pop out for some shopping, grab local street food, try Fujian restaurants, or enjoy an aesthetic meal by the sea.
The ferry terminal is also nearby. Some ferries from Gulangyu return here after 5–6 pm. So after a day on the island, you can take a ferry back and be right near your hotel.
If You Prefer a Spacious Room, Choose Swiss Grand Xiamen
It's about a 10-minute walk to the main Zhongshan Road shopping street, giving you a quieter location without sacrificing convenience.
One reason we choose Swiss Grand is its room size. Even its basic rooms are generally around 50–60 sqm, considerably larger than nearby same-grade hotels, such as Indigo or Millennium Harbourview.
If you need a family suite or an extra bed, it also offers the best value in this area.
Lujiang Harbourview Hotel – Best for Retro Boutique Hotel Design
If you're willing to pay for the elegant design and location, this hotel is hard to beat.
With arcade-style exteriors, classic interiors with exquisite colorful tiles, and sea-view dining halls, you can soak up old Xiamen's romantic vibes. The entrance to Zhongshan Road and the ferry square are also right downstairs from you.
That said, it's a four-star standard charging five-star prices. One room typically costs CNY 800–1,800 per night, including breakfast.
If You Want Walkable Attractions and Youthful Vibes, Stay Near Twin Towers
Many of Xiamen's artsy and photogenic spots are clustered around this area, just a 3–15-minute walk away. Staying here, you can better enjoy Xiamen's modern skyline and young, lively atmosphere.
Hotels along Huandao Road, closer to the sea, tend to be more upscale. Further inland, towards Xiamen University, you'll find more budget hotels and guesthouses.
But I wouldn't recommend staying too far inside, though. I stayed there when I first came to Xiamen, and found that it's in the older residential neighborhoods. It's quiet at night, and you won't have many places to go out nearby in the evening.
Conrad Xiamen: High-Rise Sea-View Hotel
Located in the Twin Towers, Conrad offers fantastic bird's-eye views and photo angles through its floor-to-ceiling windows.
When you soak in the bathtub, lie on the bed, dine, or swim, you can admire the panoramic views of the sea, Gulangyu, sunset, Xiamen University, and the city skyline right from the windows.
There's plenty to explore just downstairs, too. Shapowei Art Zone, Yanwu Bridge, and E-Mall are all nearby. You can head out to find local snacks, browse artsy little shops, take photos, do some shopping, or take a slow walk along the sea.
Choose Yundang Lake If You Want a Relaxed Stay
You're staying in a city center oasis area with peaceful lake views and flying egrets. After your daytime visit, you can enjoy a leisurely walk around.
Shopping malls are also nearby, along with many local restaurants, cafes, and bars. It's a pleasant way for you to escape from the tourist areas and experience local urban life.
Andaz Xiamen: Best for Luxury Stays and Shopping
If you love beautifully designed villa hotels, staying at Andaz feels like living in a grand Nanyang-style mansion. MixC Mall is right next door, so you can easily pop over for shopping or a meal.
Andaz is also one of the more spacious hotels in this area. Most rooms start at around 50 sqm. But the price is higher, with basic rooms around 1,400 CNY+.
Or you can consider Hampton by Hilton Hubin South Road instead, about 500+ CNY per night, 10-min walk to MixC Mall.
Pullman Xiamen Powerlong: for Peaceful Lake-view Rooms
It's a lovely choice if you're traveling with older family members or prefer quietness.
The hotel sits on the mid-lake island. You can simply lie back in your room and enjoy the peaceful lake views. Or, stepping downstairs, it's refreshing to walk around the green lawns, lakeside park, and pigeon square.
Pan Pacific Xiamen: If You Want to Stay Closer to the Ferry
Dongdu Ferry Terminal is just a 5-minute drive away. It's a convenient choice if you're visiting Gulangyu the next day and don't want to get up early to catch the ferry.
The hotel is also right next to a metro station. You can take the metro one stop to the ferry terminal or SM Xiamen Seaside World for shopping. Getting around is easy, too.
For Seaside Getaways or Business Trips, Consider Xiamen Conference & Exhibition Center
It's located away from the main tourist area. You can enjoy more peaceful sea views, sunrise, as well as seaside activities like beaches, yachting, sea fishing, and sailing.
Many hotels here also have well-equipped business facilities and are experienced in hosting business events. And Gaoqi Airport is only about a 20-minute drive away.
InterContinental Xiamen: the Best Hotel Nearby
InterContinental is a great choice if you want sea views without giving up business and shopping convenience. The beach, Convention Center, and nearby shopping malls are all about a 6-minute walk away.
We recommend InterContinental also because it is set back from the main road. You can enjoy a quieter, more peaceful stay.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option or want a spacious suite of 100–300 sqm, consider International Conference Center Hotel. It's in front of InterContinental and closer to the sea.
Its regular rooms are CNY 300-500 cheaper per night than the InterContinental. The trade-off is that it's right beside a main road, so you may hear some traffic noise.
3 Areas I Wouldn't Recommend Staying In
Gulangyu, Zengcuo'an, and Huangcuo Beach may look tempting when you're browsing hotels, especially if you want sea views or a more local atmosphere. But each has its drawbacks as a base for exploring Xiamen.
1. Gulangyu: Lovely for a Day Trip, Not Necessary to Stay Overnight
Most visitors explore Gulangyu on a day trip and leave by the evening. After 6-7 pm, you can see fewer people going out; the streets are much quieter and darker.
There are a lot of villa hotels on the island. They may look beautiful from the outside, but the interiors are often quite basic. Many are also tucked away in narrow lanes. It can be inconvenient when you're carrying luggage.
That said, if you'd like to explore the island at a slow pace, consider hotels like Zhongdeji or Linshifu Hotel. They offer better service, and you can reach them directly by shuttle bus without walking a lot.
2. Zengcuo'an: Mostly Homestays in Urban Villages
Many guesthouses have been renovated to look attractive, but cleanliness, room conditions, and English-speaking service can be hard to guarantee.
You can find many snack stalls and a night market nearby, but the area feels rather quiet, and the food is mostly tourist-oriented here.
But if you'd like to stay nearby for an early morning walk or sunrise by the sea, consider Joyze Hotel Xiamen, Curio Collection by Hilton. The surroundings are cleaner and tidier, and the beach is just a 5-minute walk away.
3. Huangcuo Beach: Beautiful Scenery, but Limited Nearby Amenities
The water here is noticeably cleaner and bluer than at other beaches in Xiamen. You'll also find plenty of resort hotels with better facilities.
But there isn't much around the area. Shopping malls, night markets, and dining options are limited, and getting to many of Xiamen's main attractions takes longer. I'd only choose this area if you want a quiet beach holiday.
Travel with Us for a Hassle-Free Xiamen Trip
Whether you're traveling as a couple, with children and seniors, or in a larger group, we'll tailor your hotel choices and Xiamen Itinerary to your budget, group size, travel dates, and room preferences.
From your itinerary and English-speaking guide, to private vehicles and hotel arrangements, we'll take care of all the details. Just tell us what you need, and we'll put together a trip that works for you.