9 Best Hotels in Beijing, China

The wow factor at this top-notch hotel—close to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City—comes from its huge glass facade and extraordinary lagoon-like swimming area: above its lush vegetation, waterfalls, and statues, a "virtual sky" ceiling imitates different weather patterns. Guest rooms, decorated with comfortable cherry-wood furnishings, and many with floor-to-ceiling windows, aren't quite as inspired, but they're still grand and Hyatt enough. Big draws are the seven restaurants and bars, most notably Made in China, one of the best places in the city for Peking duck. The hotel is part of a mammoth complex that includes an upscale shopping mall, cinema, and a wide range of places to eat—so the wows keep coming.

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.

An hour from Beijing, Commune is a design-led cluster of villas in wildly contrasting architectural styles set amid the hills and scrubland of the Great Wall; there's plenty of space so it's an ideal spot for families and small groups (and includes private access to the Wall); Bamboo House and Suitcase House are the best of the villas, but overall the service and upkeep is spotty following changes in ownership. Facilities such as a kids' club, pool, restaurants, and spa mean that, even though you're out in the sticks, you won't be roughing it.

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).

This two-bedroom rental cottage is part of a project that offers gorgeous self-catering stays in remote villages around the Great Wall; Grandma's Place is the pick of the bunch, created using stones salvaged from Ming and Qing Dynasty structures, as well as massive beams from an old village house, with a cozy, traditional kang—a brick bed heated from beneath—and a very private fruit garden and terrace that provides jaw-dropping views of the Great Wall. There are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, wireless broadband, a kitchen, and laundry facilities. The Brickyard Hotel, also by the Schoolhouse brand, offers more rooms with Great Wall views nearby.

This Shangri-La owned stalwart entices with its stylish Centro Bar, excellent all-day Kerry’s Kitchen, and top-of-the-range health club that has a play area for kids. Called Adventure Zone, it’s kitted out with slides, a play village, and a supervised toddler zone. The service remains impeccable throughout, and the guest rooms have been spruced up to new levels of business chic.

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.

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.

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.