Header: Seth Powers
The historic canals of Wuxi have a new landmark that feels as though it has been there for centuries. The Dangkou Ancient Town Hotel Wuxi, part of the MGallery Collection, recently earned the prestigious LIV Hospitality Design Award for its luxury architectural design. Created by the teams at WATG and Wimberly Interiors, the project turns the quiet charm of a Jiangnan water town into a high-end retreat that stays loyal to its roots.
Design inspired by water and poetry
Dangkou Ancient Town is famous for its 2,000-year-old courtyard houses and stone bridges. Lead designer Raghavendra Shanbhag and the WATG team pulled their inspiration directly from these surroundings. Instead of building something that clashes with the old town, they used the same scale and shapes found in the local streets.
The hotel layout follows a traditional north-south path. The rooflines and internal courtyards look like the classic homes of the region, ensuring the new buildings sit comfortably alongside the ancient canal. Water is the main thread that holds everything together, flowing from the town’s public waterways right into the heart of the hotel.
Stepping into the Moon Court and the library
The journey for guests starts at the Moon Court. This arrival space features a large circular opening in the roof. When it rains, water falls through the opening to create a natural screen, a nod to the importance of water in Chinese culture.
Inside, the lobby moves away from standard hotel counters and instead looks like a grand personal library. This is a tribute to Hua Tai Shi, a famous local scholar and poet. Massive bookshelves overlook the canal, making the space feel more like a private study than a commercial lobby. Nearby, the bar features blue ceramic tiles crafted by local makers, with lines of poetry carved into the surface and lights designed to look like ink brush strokes.
Dining under the trees
The design team wanted every room to tell a story. In the main restaurant, named The Tree Canopy, the ceiling is shaped like branches to make diners feel as if they are sitting outdoors under a forest roof. For those seeking a slower pace, the hotel includes a teahouse and a dedicated cultural hub. These areas house a preserved water feature and displays of historical literature, providing a quiet spot for guests to sit and think.
Guest rooms that encourage a slower pace
Wimberly Interiors handled the indoor spaces, focusing on a simple and calm look. There are four types of guest rooms, and every single one offers a view of a garden. This choice mimics the way old residential estates in Wuxi were built to keep people connected to nature.
The rooms use a soft colour palette and plenty of natural wood. To keep the connection to the local scholar alive, replicas of Hua’s artwork are hung in the rooms. By using local proportions and tactile materials, the designers created a space where the main goal is to help people slow down and find a bit of peace away from the busy world.
The Dangkou Ancient Town Hotel Wuxi shows that modern luxury does not have to be loud or flashy. WATG and Wimberly Interiors have focused on the poetry, water, and building styles of the Jiangnan region and with that, built a place that belongs to its location. It is a quiet addition to a historic town that gives guests a real taste of Wuxi’s past while providing all the comforts of a top-tier hotel. For anyone who appreciates design that values local culture over trends, this award-winning project is a clear highlight of the MGallery Collection.
Project info
Company/Firm: WATG
Lead Designer: Raghavendra Shanbhag
Other Designer(s): Lionel Teh, Low Sing Hui, Wellington Kuswanto, Alam Mulyana
Architect: WATG
Interior Designer: Wimberly Interiors
Hospitality: Accor
Photo Credit: Seth Powers
Location: Wuxi, China
Project Date: Jan 2025
Developer: Wuxi Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd
