Positioned on the shores of Lugu Lake in China’s Yunnan province, ArcadiaPlace Lugu Lake is a hotel where ancient Mosuo culture, contemporary design, and natural splendour intersect. Conceived by Imago Architecture Design Consultancy under chief architect Yang Lu, the property reimagines three existing villas as a womb-like form caught between mountains and water; a gesture that embodies both shelter and connection to the landscape.
Constructed using traditional rammed earth techniques, the cascading structure ensures every room opens onto a balcony framing views of Gemu Goddess Mountain, Houlong God of Men Mountain, and the glistening lake itself. A blend of light, shadow, and texture animates the building, making the surroundings an ever-present part of the property.
Inside, interiors draw from Mosuo traditions. Guest rooms — of which there are 60 — reference the warmth of a grandmother’s home and the romance of a maiden’s flower chamber, with coloured glass screens, patterned textiles, and jade-coloured bathtubs echoing the hues of the lake. Sacred timber pillars, reclaimed beams, and intricate window lattices add layers of cultural resonance resulting in an atmosphere that feels simultaneously intimate and expansive.
Communal spaces include a six metre high lobby lined with glass, its west-facing orientation capturing the shifting light over the lake. Above, the rooftop offers an infinity pool and the restaurant Yun Ying Dining Room, where Chinese fusion cuisine meets modern technique. Three sides of the dining room open to the water, while an LED wall shifts in seasonal tones.
Complementing the dining is Xing Yu Lobby Lounge, serving floral teas, local coffee, and seasonal cocktails in spaces marked by the Mosuo’s matrilineal symbolism of red. A spa with four treatment rooms and a yoga studio continues the chromatic story; its earthy palette designed to calm and restore.
Positioning itself as a gateway to the living culture of the Mosuo people and the timeless drama of Lugu Lake, Design Hotels member ArcadiaPlace is a magical place where design, tradition, and environment entwine, inviting guests to reflect, restore, and reconnect against one of China’s most spectacular natural backdrops.
The ArcadiaPlace Lugu Lake Photography, courtesy Design Hotels.
