72 Best Hotels in Beijing, China

Each of the four rooms at this boutique courtyard hotel—located in a carefully restored home in Dongsi Hutong—are decorated with antiques and according to different themes, such as the Chairman's Suite, in playful homage to Mao, and the two Author's Suites (one inspired by Edgar Snow, a 1930s US journalist who lived in Beijing, and the other by Han Suyin, the Japanese novelist who wrote Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, among others). There's also a cigar lounge where you can sit on original furnishings used by China's early revolutionary leaders, as well as a wine bar housed in a Cultural Revolution–era bomb shelter. You'll know the hotel when you find it—Madame Mao's Red Flag limousine sits outside.

With ample amounts of glass and chrome, the Ritz-Carlton could be mistaken for one of the many sleek office buildings that crowd this very business-oriented area; the interior is equally swish and contemporary, with smart East-meets-West decor that's up to the Ritz standard—its location, excellent amenities, and eager-to-please staff make it popular with tour groups as well as businesspeople. The Greenfish Café offers a great contemporary buffet (low-calorie fare); Cepe provides high-end Italian dining. The enormous health club has an indoor pool and a spa with six treatment rooms.

In an area where Ferragamo, Chanel, and other couture practically spills out onto the street, this Ritz-Carlton feels rather at home; the dinky marble lobby, mahogany-decorated rooms, excellent Italian restaurant (Barolo), and Davidoff-sponsored cigar bar feel like something from another age, which is no bad thing if you can afford it. As a time-tested symbol of old-fashioned luxury, it fits into this location as a rather quaint example of this well-known brand.

With its landscaped gardens, luxury mall, and the addition of a more modern wing, the Shangri-La is a slice of charm for business travelers and those who don't mind being far from the city center; the service is spot-on throughout, from the pristine rooms to the efficient check-in, while the dining options are excellent.

Though it can feel a little in the middle of nowhere, near the 2008 Olympic area, the Sheraton Dongcheng, with its cubic glass facade, great-value lunch deals, and spacious, clean, and up-to-date rooms, is a decent high-end choice. Some good restaurants (Yue does particularly good dim sum) and views of the architecturally impressive "Bird's Nest" (National Stadium) help make up for the lack of good eats in the area, and the guest rooms themselves serve as perfect cocoons, with soothing colors and woods on show. It's near the Beijing International Convention Center.

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.

A functional name for a utilitarian hotel, Traders is located inside the China World Trade Complex, hence the prevalence of business travelers to be found staying here; its good-value, simple (think muted colors), efficient guest rooms hit the mark, as does its fine service and excellent health club (you'll want to eat out, though, but that's not always such a bad thing). This place certainly knows its market. Oh, and it's attached to a shopping mall too.

True to form, the sassy Starwood brand W has tech-laden guestrooms (and corner rooms here have great city views), comfy beds, pillow menus, and free snacks. The Yen restaurant serves contemporary takes on Cantonese and northern Chinese delicacies. The hotel is close to Beijing Railway Station, and it’s just a few subway stops west to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

With 34 floors of guest rooms, the Westin Beijing Chaoyang isn't exactly a small affair, but what the hotel lacks in intimacy, it more than makes up for in luxury: highlights include the trademark "Heavenly" beds and thunderous rain-forest showers, waking up to the best and most abundant breakfast buffet in the city, and service that is relaxed, charming, and attentive. Guest rooms err toward the businesslike—they are decorated with techy gagdets and contemporary furnishings. On Sundays, Taste restaurant is the haunt of Beijing’s brunch set for Bubbalicious, an all-you-can-drink champagne fest with dozens of live cooking stations that's a relative bargain. The Westin Spa has an extensive menu of massages and treatments.

It's business as usual at this worthwhile spot: comfortable rooms with plush beds, neutral tones and marble bathrooms; a plethora of amenities, including dining spots both formal and fun; and not forgetting the perhaps-to-be-expected, well-staffed executive lounge. As one of the trio of big players on Financial Street—along with the InterContinental and the Ritz-Carlton—the Westin won't wow you to your core, but has more than everything you'd need and expect, and it does it all well. Business travelers will be particularly pleased.

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.