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The first real wave of tourists to visit China in the early 1980s had little need for guidebooks—foreigners were only allowed to stay in ugly, state-run, Stalinist-style blocks. But times have changed. Now Beijing has it all: a glorious glut of the world’s best hotel brands; cheap and breezy places to make your base; intimate boutique beauties; and historical courtyard conversions.
The main hubs for hotels are around Wangfujing (Beijing’s famous shopping strip), in the vicinity of the northeast Third Ring Road, and along Chang'an/Jianguomen, one of the city’s main thoroughfares that connect the Central Business District (CBD) to Tiananmen Square. This is where you’ll find the city’s most recognizable and reputable hotels, all of which offer luxurious rooms, international-standard facilities, and attentive service. Don’t despair if you’re on a budget: there are plenty of decent dwellings next to the tourist trail at a fraction of the cost.
"Location, location, location" should be your mantra when booking a Beijing hotel, especially if you're only in town for a few days. It's a big city: there's no point schlepping halfway across it for one particular hotel when a similar option is available in a more convenient area. Consider where you'll be going (Summer Palace? Forbidden City? Great Wall?), then pick your bed. Busy execs should choose wisely in order to avoid getting snarled up in Beijing’s horrific traffic, which most likely means staying a little farther west near Financial Street or in the other commercial hub of Guomao (the CBD) in the east. Those in search of nightlife will want to be by Sanlitun, home to the capital’s best bars and restaurants. If you're after a one-of-a-kind Beijing experience, check out the city's courtyard hotels. These distinctive lodgings are often converted siheyuan—traditional homes built as residential quadrangles among the hutongs.
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.
