Not all castles are found in Europe—such is one overlooking Dalian’s Xinghai Bay, which will be transformed to The Castle Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Dalian. Renovations are in its final stages, and the regal property will welcome guests from August 1.

The grand hotel will boast 292 guest rooms and suites, alongside 67 apartments, most of which will offer gorgeous vistas of the ocean. Interiors are—obviously—palatial, with stonework, handcrafted wood furnishings and high ceilings and windows. Top-notch restaurants and lounges can be expected, too (we hear there'll be an authentic German pub serving up home-brewed beer).

What else is there in the city? The coastal destination is renowned for its fresh air, temperate coastal weather and abundant green spaces. If you have a thing for all things European, the city pays homage to its British and Russian heritage every year with events such as the Dalian International Beer Festival, set to take place from July 24 to August 4 this year.

Sadly there aren't any direct flights from Singapore to Dalian at the moment, but you can travel via China Eastern with a stopover in Shanghai. Prices start from around S$667 for a round-trip itinerary.