China?s financial capital is expanding at breakneck speed, and luxury hotels designed to be far more than plush landing pads for jet-lagged executives are opening left and right. One of the latest properties to join this new generation of hospitality is the Anandi Hotel and Spa, which is slated to open in February in the city?s quiet Hong Qiao neighborhood.

The first of its kind in China, the Leading Hotels of the World property has been designed from the top down with wellness in mind. Located on a surprisingly isolated stretch of the Su Zhou River, it offers travelers a much-needed reprieve from the city?s neon-lined buildings and perennially bustling streets?remaining just close enough to prominent commercial areas like Changing and Xuhui. A layout inspired by tai chi?s traditional Eight Tigrams is meant to further this sense of tranquility, and the hotel?s 227 guest rooms, 48 sprawling suites, and eight over-the-top villas are brimming with amenities and décor designed to relax and restore travelers after long days of business or pleasure. In addition to crystal-energy flooring and negative-ion bedding?which is reported to have benefits as wide-ranging as easing symptoms of depression to boosting immune systems?all of the property?s rooms come complete with deep soaking tubs where guests can unwind sore muscles and soothe stressed skin after long-haul flights while enjoying views of the river or the city outside. Suites and villas also come equipped with addi...