W Hotels Worldwide has opened its first mainland hotel W Guangzhou - on the city's ancient Pearl River.

The property features China's first AWAY Spa - open 24 hours a day for W guests and locals - with treatments that combine Eastern and Western elements.

Designed by architect Rocco Lim the 317 room hotel has a black glass exterior and the centrepiece of its entrance is a 19m tall water wall by WETDesign - meant to evoke the light and colour of Impressionist paintings.

Additional hotel facilities include a fitness centre, heated indoor pool, business centre, two nightlife venues and three restaurants.

Yabu Pushelberg has designed guestrooms and suites.

The W brand has rapid expansion plans for Asia with plans to more than double its current footprint of nine hotels to 20 in the next five years.