Singaporean designer Grace Soh and her team have transformed this hotel into a vivid, charming space, while retaining its history, as highlighted by the black-and-white photographs of dignitaries in the lounge. Think fancy: crystal chandeliers illuminate the lobby, and the grand white staircase is enveloped in a royal-blue carpet. The atrium is adorned with 13 large cloth lanterns in olive green, plum, purple, and yellow—a welcome change to the ubiquitous red. The Presidential Suite is one of the largest, most luxurious suites in Beijing. For dining, choose between French and Italian. The Writer's Bar is replete with large leather armchairs and dark, polished floors. This is a great location for visitors who plan to do some sightseeing: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Wangfujing are all nearby.
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip