World City Guide

Hotels

Like everything else in Beijing, the hotel industry is changing fast, with scores of new hotels being constructed. Though catering primarily to Beijing’s well-defined business and leisure travel markets, some backpacker options are available. Prices at international brand hotels are rising fast and gaining parity with other major Asian cities.

The hotels below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$ (up to US$80)
$$ ( US$80 to US$150)
$$$ (US$150 to US$250)
$$$$ (over US$250)

Business

Kerry Centre
This Shangri-La hotel located in the heart of the CBD heaves daily with repeat-visit decision makers and overseas executives. The business facilities are excellent, the rooms very comfortable and in-room safes large enough to store a laptop. There is also a sports centre (featuring roof-top running track), swimming pool and health spa and a good choice of restaurants.

1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
Tel: (10) 6561 8833.
Website: www.shangri-la.com
Price: $$$

St Regis
The marble and dark wood lobby suggests luxury, while the ubiquitous suits, ties and business talk give the clientele’s game away. This is a beautifully appointed business hotel located between Wangfujing and the China World Centre. Half of the 273 rooms are suites and the business facilities and function rooms are exemplary. There are five restaurants and three lounge bars, a spa and gym and butler service for every guest.

21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
Tel: (10) 6460 6688.
Website: www.stregis.com/beijing
Price: $$$

Luxury

Grand Hyatt
Three years’ old, this giant glass landmark is located on Beijing’s main thoroughfare, Donchangan Dajie, within walking distance of both Wangfujing shopping street and Tiananmen Square. Boasting five impressive concept restaurants, super-chic spa, a luxury shopping mall and you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it indoor tropical swimming pool, this is one of Beijing’s most impressive hotels that was recently listed on Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 50 Asia Hotels list.

Beijing Oriental Plaza 1 Dongchangan Dajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: (10) 8518 1234.
Website: www.hyatt.com
Price: $$$$

Peninsula Palace
Unbridled luxury doesn’t come cheap. Two blocks from Wangfujing, the Peninsula recently completed a two-year, US$27m refurbishment. And it shows. Every room has a 42 hanging plasma TV and DVD player, silent fax machine, bathroom TV and sound system and Braille room number plaque. Those who can afford one of the exquisite suites will not feel short-changed. The shopping arcade features 50 luxury brands and the two restaurants successfully blend sophistication, atmosphere and acclaimed cuisine.

8 Goldfish Lane, Dongcheng District
Tel: (10) 8516 28888.
Website: www.peninsula.com
Price: $$$$

Moderate

Lusongyuan Hotel
Built in an old hutong, this courtyard hotel gives a reasonable perspective of Beijing’s fast-disappearing architectural heritage.

22 Banchang Hutong, Kuanjie, Dongcheng District
Tel: (10) 6404 0436.
Price: $$

North Garden Hotel
Meticulously-run four-star hotel just off Wangfujing shopping street. The central location is complemented by small but comfortable rooms, English-speaking staff, generous breakfast buffet, business centre, gym and spa and free Internet in all rooms. Excellent value.

218-1 Wangfujing Dajie, Doncheng District
Tel: (10) 6523 8888.
Website: www.north-garden.com
Price: $$

Other Recommendations

Peking/Beijing Downtown Backpackers
This new addition to the city’s budget portfolio is situated in an old hutong, and has more character than your average backpacker hostel. The trendy location provides a good base for partying in up-and-coming Houhai bar district.

85 Nanluogu Xiang, Doncheng District
Tel: 8400 2429.
E-mail: www beijingdowntown@hotmail.com
Price: $

Red Capital Club Residence
Classy boutique hotel located in a 200-year old courtyard residence, and incorporates the communist history-fest which is the Red Capital Club restaurant. The five suites are decorated in a style to befit 1950s communist leaders and the bar is a converted bomb shelter. Not cheap, but for sheer ‘experience’ factor, it’s hard to beat.

9 Dongsi Liutao, Dongcheng District
Tel: (10) 8403 5308.
Website: www.redcapitalclub.com.cn
Price: $$$