The capital city’s finest posh palaces
Aman at Summer Palace Beijing: This exquisite hotel is adjacent to the East Gate of the Summer Palace, and even has a private entrance to the palace that allows guests access to the grounds before the crowds arrive. The hotel itself features a palatial lobby complete with sit-down reception and tea for check-in, plus impeccable gardens, a private cinema, a library, and the lavish Aman Spa. Rooms are luxuriously appointed, and the service is flawless. Its distance from the city center may make it difficult to do much exploring, but those seeking an escape will certainly find it here.
The Opposite House: Opened for the 2008 Olympics, this hotel is one of the hippest in Beijing. A striking exterior of green glass greets guests, while the interior design features local art and sculpture. A sleek stainless steel pool will wow swimmers, and those looking to get out and about can rent one of the hotel’s Maserati cars to explore around town. Rooms feature oak furnishings, plush beds with high thread count linens, mood lighting systems, bedside electronic controls, and French press coffee makers.
The Peninsula Beijing: Head to the heart of Beijing for a stay at this iconic hotel, where impressive interior features include a five-story atrium and a green glass fountain with a marble bridge to cross over it. Guest rooms are not as modern as some of the other hotels on this list, but offer white marble bathrooms and high-quality furnishings. For more palatial accommodations, the eight-room Peninsula Suite has its own private elevator, an 18-person banquet room, a baby grand piano, and a private gym with steam room.
China World Summit Wing, Beijing: The city’s tallest skyscraper is home to this Shangri-La hotel on the uppermost floors. Four handmade chandeliers greet visitors in the lobby before they are welcomed with coffee, drinks, and snacks in a sitting area overlooking the cityscape. Rooms feature modern amenities in intricate style, with floor-to-ceiling windows, enormous beds, immense bathtubs, rainfall showers, and large sofas. Be sure to take a dip in the Infinity pool on the 78th floor for a breathtaking experience in the sky.
Raffles Beijing: This hotel offers a convenient location to city landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Silk Market. Public spaces are decadent but not overdone, and the guest accommodations are separated into buildings for leisure and business travelers. On the leisure side, well-decorated rooms feature antique-style furniture and first-rate amenities, as well as marble baths. Nine elegant Personality suites are at the high end of the spectrum, with Oriental rugs, period furniture, and a communal library.
Park Hyatt Beijing: The experience here starts with check in on the 63rd floor, and continues to impress with personalized service, a 59th-floor lap pool, and tremendous views from bars and eateries on the 65th and 66th floors. The soothing décor of the rooms include wood furnishing and earth tones, as well as deep soaking tubs and all the modern amenities travelers could expect. The most lavish rooms even come with butler service to truly give guests the royal treatment.
