At the Water’s Edge in Hangzhou

While the famed west lake in Hangzhou, China, lures the tourist coaches by the score, Xixi National Wetland Park — 15 minutes out of town in good traffic — is blissfully tranquil, with just a trickle of nature lovers. That makes it a plum location for the new Banyan Tree resort — an elegantly styled property of 72 suites and villas that sits at the edge of the reserve and seems to seamlessly merge with it.

The well-considered design is the work of regular Banyan Tree architect Ho KwonCjan — founder Ho Kwon Ping’s younger brother — who drew inspiration from the almost monastic elegance of a nearby temple. “We rejected the more extravagant examples [of local architecture],” says Ho KwonCjan, “because the cumulative effect on so many villas would be overwhelming.” The buildings’ muted appearance places the focus where it should be: on the reserve itself and on the Banyan Tree’s immaculate grounds, which feature a graceful Chinese garden.

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Villas come with mei ren kao balconies, traditional balconies that lean over the water and bear the quaint description of “beautiful woman leaning,” presumably because they help a lady admire her own reflection. They also help you take in the superb views, which, at several of the villas, consist of sweeping, unobstructed vistas of the bird-rich wetland (binoculars are provided). If you’re enjoying communing with nature too much to head indoors and dine at one of the resort’s two restaurants — the all-day Waterlight Court and the fine-dining Bai Yun — no matter. Staff will set up a tent and serve you right there in the reserve.

Rates at the Banyan Tree start from $368 a night. See banyantree.com for more.

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