26 Best Hotels in Beijing, China

Cheap and cheerful does it at this value chain close to Sanlitun (Beijing's lively nightlife center)—yes, it lacks a pool and gym, and guest rooms are somewhat small, but the lobby gleams, the beds are surprisingly comfortable, and the free-to-use Macs next to the front desk and a games console are thoughtful touches. This hotel offers both meeting rooms and a self-service laundry room, so both businesspeople and backpackers have what they need. Next to the hotel entrance is a handy tour operator that can help organize trips to the Great Wall and so forth.

The wooden entrance to this delightful courtyard hotel, on the site of an old Mandarin residence, is guarded by two menshi (stone lions), an indicator that this hotel offers a classic old-Beijing experience: good, affordable accommodations with few modern updates and little in the way of fancy design. The guest rooms are basic, the windows are large, there's plenty of dark wood and red pillars, and five courtyards offer delightful escapes in the forms of pavilions, rockeries, and greenery. It's all about location here: you're in the middle of an ancient neighborhood, within walking distance of Houhai, and just a block away from many restaurants on Nan Luogu Xiang.

A firm favorite among travelers looking for somewhere hip but still down-to-earth, The Orchid is a serene spot in the heart of Beijing's most vibrant hutong district, with two tiers of flower-strewn terraces, ludicrously comfy beds, a complimentary à la carte breakfast menu, and friendly staff who have an infectious love for their gentrifying neighborhood. The standard Courtyard rooms are housed in Qing-era buildings with lovely wood beamed ceilings, while the best rooms have private gardens (and one has its own terrace with views of the Drum and Bell towers). Throw in some nifty facilities (free Wi-Fi, movies on demand, under-floor heating, cell phones), great events (weekly dumpling-making classes, regular wine tastings), and a walking map painstakingly created by the co-founder that plots the tastiest traditional eats in the area, and you can see why the Orchid's 10 rooms are always in demand.

Small, quiet, and cute, this appealing courtyard hotel—inside one of the city's hutong and featuring a centuries-old date tree, red lanterns, and other such traditional Chinese decorations—may once have been the home of Mei Lanfang, the legendary male Peking opera star known for playing female roles. All guest rooms are furnished with rosewood beds, antique bureaus, and modern gadgets (like satellite TV), but the VIP room, as you would expect, is the largest and best, and worth reserving in advance. If that's not available, request one of the executive rooms. Bicycles are available for free.

More an option for business travelers than casual tourists—meaning it's not too far from the airport and a number of work hubs—this hotel near Wangjing High Tech Park understands that a functional location doesn't have to mean a completely utilitarian aesthetic. A 24-hour fitness center; modern, well-equipped guest rooms; plus a handy café and decent breakfasts all come in very handy.

The best thing about this mid-range choice is its central location on Wangfujing, Beijing's most famous shopping street, where there's a mix of traditional stores, international chains, and a touristy "food" market—scorpions on a stick, anyone? The standard guest rooms, however, are small, and although the place provides everything you'd expect from a Crowne Plaza, it lacks knockout design details or killer features, as the rather uninteresting lobby makes plain. Craving more space? Try the executive floor, where guest rooms have extra work space and sprawling bathrooms.

Functional rather than fancy, the Day's Inn is about as close as it's possible to get to the Forbidden City without staying in the palace itself, and though guest rooms are tiny, they are definitely inexpensive and relatively comfortable. Built in an unfussy style with the slightest of architectural nods toward the city's classic courtyard houses, it does feature such alluring touches as its grey-brick walls inlaid with traditional carvings of chrysanthemums (the Chinese national flower). Beware of booking the cheaper basement rooms unless you can live without a window. If you have time, visit the Worker's Cultural Palace next door, laid out like the Forbidden City but on a smaller scale and without the crowds.

The rooms in this atmospheric warren of wooden corridors, courtyards, and rickety staircases are fairly spacious, with Chinese-style beds, wooden furniture, and small bathrooms, but it’s the friendly, English-speaking service, central location, and good rates that make it so popular. All rooms come with a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee facilities, and a computer. A couple of family rooms sleep up to four people, and a trio of rooms have delightful private balconies. Located midway along a hutong lane close to the center of town, the neighborhood has some good local restaurants and is just about walkable to the Forbidden City. In the evening the breakfast room becomes a simple restaurant serving Chinese and Western food.

Soaring 22 stories into the air, the DoubleTree is a solid hotel with perks that compensate for its out-of-the-way location, frorm the warm chocolate-chip cookies in the lobby to the alluring oasis of the terraced outdoor swimming pool. More pluses include the bright and modern guest rooms and the well-stocked gym. On the debit side, the dining options are not exactly spectacular, and the hotel's location is a little off the beaten track (but there are usually enough taxis on hand to ensure that neither is much of an issue).

Lauded for its lovely rooftop bar with views over the Forbidden City, the Emperor's has a traditional exterior that belies guest rooms seemingly inspired by the film 2001: A Space Odyssey: minimalist white decor, sunken beds with tube pillows, lozenge-like sofas, and minibars that rise up from concealed cabinets. The effect is rather sterile, but at least the hotel sits on a tree-lined avenue among traditional temples and houses, making it a tranquil spot in the middle of a fast-evolving metropolis.

One of the largest garden-style hotels in Asia, the Friendship Hotel was built in 1954 to house foreigners (mostly Soviets) who had come to help rebuild the nation; these days, it relies more on tour groups and those who need to be close to the university area. It remains far removed from most sights, and many of its rooms, done in a traditional Chinese style, are in need of a redo and more up-to-date furnishings. Facilities include restaurants, a swimming pool, and a driving range. Building #1 is the most comfortable and up to date, and more expensive.

Deep in the heart of the Central Business District, this glass tower is a well-appointed business hotel with smart, unassuming guest rooms and a top-notch pool and gym. Though there's little that's visually exciting, and service standards can vary, the facilities are all modern, and Yao Chi's open kitchen is a tasty little option for those in search of dinner and a culinary show.

One of the oldest luxury hotels in Beijing, the Great Wall Sheraton is still going strong because of its popularity with tour groups. The guest rooms are comfortable but dated, and the top-floor restaurant has pleasing city views and dishes up some decent Sichuan and Cantonese food. Note that the service throughout can be a little uneven.

Designed by Studio Pei Zhu (who also worked on the Olympics), this minimalist-style offering helped kick-start the boutique hotel movement in Beijing—it has large, design-conscious guest rooms, internal courtyards enclosed in glass, and bamboo and pebble gardens, as well as a quirky exterior lattice wrapped around the entire building. Though showing signs of wear and tear, it remains in a fabulous location for sightseeing (a few blocks from the East Gate of the Forbidden City), the service is friendly enough, and the price is right.

A bewildering array of restaurants, bars, and lounges coupled with spacious, well appointed guest rooms means this popular Chinese business hotel deserves even wider recognition. The public areas are impressive, adorned with Dragon Empress carved dividers, gigantic lanterns, sofa fabrics that could be satin ceremonial robes, and gigantic smiling Buddhas; or you can opt for the more modern lounges, often grand spaces made cozy with sofas, tasseled velvet cushions, and fine teak furnishings. Topped by a revolving restaurant, this 28-story tower has high ambitions. From the spacious Basic rooms to the Superior suites, they're all done out in a low-key but tranquil style. The Kunlun isn't too far from the clubs of Sanlitun.

One of Beijing's first modern hotels, Jianguo was built in 1982 as an exact replica of the Palo Alto Holiday Inn, with direct dialing from rooms and other innovations (for the time). Diplomats, journalists, and business executives aplenty took advantage, and it’s still going strong today thanks to friendly service and close proximity to the conference facilities of the more expensive China World Hotel a block away. Nearly half the guest rooms have balconies (although most overlook a noisy road) and it's too bad that the gym and pool lack a modern touch, but the courtyard gardens in the back are a nice addition.

In a leafy northeastern suburb of Beijing lies Lido Place, an enormous commercial and residential complex in which you'll find the Metropark Lido as well as a British-style pub, a Tex-Mex joint, and a buffet restaurant that makes this feel like Anywheresville. While this is a world away from the bustle of "real Beijing," the area's quieter roads and tree-lined streets make it a family-friendly alternative. It's a decent price for a comfortable stay, and especially handy if you want to be closer to the airport.

The Minzu was built in 1959 as one of Mao's "Ten Great Buildings" to celebrate a decade of the People's Republic—this paean to China's unity has welcomed many dignitaries over the years, but with the rise in the number of luxury hotels around Beijing, the hotel no longer attracts any significant visitors, and the only reason to stay here—other than price—is if you have business in the area. A lack of international brand recognition means it lies slightly off the usual tourism radar, despite its location near western Chang'an Jie, relatively close to Tiananmen Square.

This Japanese-run hotel deserves praise for its crisp service and a great downtown location that makes it a reliable middle-ground for businessmen and (largely Japanese) tour groups alike; rooms are modern and crisp, plus the hotel overlooks a delightful garden where guests can participate in morning exercises. A decent Japanese restaurant ensures that diners aren't sold short. It's also accessible for people with disabilities, which isn't always the norm for Beijing.

This tower of shimmering glass has rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that afford decent views, but, other than that, there's nothing spectacular here: service is fairly basic and the ambience is decidedly low-key; the big plus is the surrounding area, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby (as well as Wangfujing and Tiananmen Square), making it a solid base at a good price for the location. Be warned, however, that some rooms have been updated while others have not, so ask to be put in the newer part of the hotel. For dinner you could opt for one of the three Chinese restaurants—or Le Cabernet, a French-style brasserie—but our vote would be to head out into the street to try one of the many restaurants found in this bustling neighborhood.

Hidden behind the swankier Regent on Beijing's glitziest avenue, this popular mid-range option, especially good for first-time visitors to the city, has clean and compact rooms with decent-sized bathrooms, English TV channels, a pleasant tree-shaded garden, and a fantastic location close to the Forbidden City and Wangfujing. There's a Starbucks opposite and a selection of great restaurants, including the famed Peking duck eatery Dadong, within walking distance. Dining in the hotel isn't recommended; the breakfast buffet, with omelets made to order, is a little pricey for the quality.

This comfortable, good-looking mid-range hotel offers modern facilities wrapped up in a slick, business-friendly package; it's close to the Temple of Heaven and Pearl Market, and surrounded by shopping malls. The immediate area isn't much to look at, but a subway nearby will whisk you away to Beijing's beauty spots in no time.

Tang Dynasty style mixes with contemporary French flair at this plush hotel, where swanky rooms and suites are enlivened with subtle Asian motifs; a well-equipped fitness center boasts a 25m-long pool and state-of-the-art gym; the hotel restaurant Héritage serves high-end French. Tech-savvy travelers will enjoy the built-in LCD TVs in both the bedrooms and bathrooms, plus complimentary broadband access. Sadly, the views aren't up to much, thanks to some large-scale building nearby, but it's nice enough inside that you can shut the curtains and make the most of it.

With easy access to the Second Ring Road and Line 2 of the subway, this mid-range hotel is a decent enough hub for sightseers: the marble lobby is impressive, the health club includes an open-air tennis court, and rooms are a decent value. Although this will never be one of the city's more glamorous hotels, it's a solid fit, plus it's only a short walk to the nearby Nanxincang complex of restaurants, housed in a former Ming Dynasty granary. The hotel coffee shop also dishes up a good buffet—and a great fondue.

The charming "Bamboo Garden" was actually once the residence of Kang Sheng, a sinister character responsible for "public security" during the Cultural Revolution, who nevertheless had fine taste in Chinese art and antiques (some which are still on display). Still, as the hotel's English name suggests, the beautiful and peaceful grounds are the real highlight here. The neighborhood is perfect if you want to experience the lifestyles of ordinary Beijingers. Sure, this spot can't compete with the high-rise crowd when it comes to amenities, but its bamboo-filled gardens make it a treasure for those looking for a true Chinese experience. It's within walking distance of the colorful Houhai lakes area.