The Castle Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel by Starwood Hotels & Resorts has opened on Lotus Mountain in China's Dalian, in a prime location overlooking Xinghai Square, Xinghai Bay and the Yellow Sea.

The city of Dalian’s ports were used in ancient times as an international trading hub. As a nod to its heritage, the city hosts European-inspired events to attract tourists – for example the Dalian International Beer Festival and the Dalian International Fashion Festival. Dalian is also the sixth city in mainland China to introduce a 73-hour visa-free stay.

The 292-bedroom and 67-residence hotel is owned by the real estate investment company Dalian Yifang Group and is operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts under The Luxury Collection brand. The hotel has been re-designed by HBA Interior Design, featuring European-inspired architecture.

Following an extensive renovation, the property has revealed the Kaiser Spa, an 1,800sq m (19,375sq ft) wellness facility that features six treatment rooms, a whirlpool, sauna, leisure lounge, living room and dining area – separate to the hotel’s three restaurants. Investment in the spa’s renovation amounted to CNY50m (US$8m, €6m, £5m).

Operated in-house by Starwood, the spa features products by skincare range Phytomer.

Fitness facilities include a fitness centre with a multi-functional yoga room and an indoor heated swimming pool, which offers an ocean view.

The Castle Hotel also comprises a grand ballroom, seven function rooms and a 4,000sq m (45,056sq ft) open air rooftop garden.

This is the fifth Luxury Collection-branded hotel to open in China in less than five years. The other four are located in Tianjin, Heng Shan, Shanghai and Sanya.

Later this year, The Azure Qiantang will open as a Luxury Collection hotel in Hangzhou.