For a glimpse of the long ago past, the China Club is the right place to be. Nestled among other traditional courtyards, near Wangfujing, the small hotel and restaurant seems as if it has been cut out of a movie or book on the life of the wealthy in late imperial China. The hotel may not have a modern spa, or a swimming pool, but it has more soul and charm than any other Beijing hotel. Eight individually designed rooms are accessible only to the members of the club, or the members' friends, and reflect a beautiful idea of a China that is now rare and nearly inexistent.
the hotel has more soul and charm than any other in the city
The rooms have style, class and a certain understatement, unusual in this country, where they tend to use gold and glitter with reckless abandon. The rooms also offer comfort in a calm oasis that feels far removed from the hubbub of the hectic city. However, this hotel has more to satisfy clients than just its rooms. The bar is probably one of Beijing's most original, in the same colourful traditional, stylish décor that you find in the bedrooms. Of course, the China Club would not have become so famous without its restaurant, which is a fantastic place to discover the country's most iconic dishes in a magical setting. In short, staying here is like being in the Beijing of a hundred years ago, with all mod cons provided. It's an unreal contrast for the lucky few allowed to stay in this exclusive club.
