The exterior and interior for instance could not be more different. Standing outside, you have a tall and modern building that hardly even gives you a hint as to what awaits you once you step through the doors: Because in one moment you can somehow travel in time, to an idealised Chinese interpretation of British interior design. There are a lot of warm colours, classical décor elements, and as we are in China here, a few carefully placed Chinese vases, rugs or other ornaments. These are placed very stylishly throughout the hotel. The design of the hotel is quite unique, as it was set up with the idea of an old Manor in mind, trying to give you a feeling of being at home, maybe at a friends' place. In some ways this careful set-up makes your stay all the more enjoyable and personal. Whilst the scale of the operation is without doubt bigger than that of most British Manors, you can't deny the fact that no other hotel in Beijing offers a more tasteful interpretation of a classical Grand Hotel with "Chinese characteristics". In case you don't believe us, look for a place called Legendale, and be amused.
No other hotel in Beijing offers a more tasteful interpretation of a classical Grand Hotel
Of the 305 rooms that make up the hotel,
the Club Level's are the most interesting. Not only because they offer
beautiful views of this bustling city, but also because you get access to the
Club Lounge, an entire floor where you can eat, drink, read or do anything else
you want all day long on a complimentary basis. That being said, for those who
want food that is a little more intricate and interesting, you have the choice the
Italian restaurant Barolo, which is currently changing its chef, the lavishly
decorated and superb Cantonese restaurant Yu or the buffet restaurant Aroma. The
most interesting is certainly Yu, as it delivers Cantonese food of the highest
order, not worse than some of the finer restaurants in Hong Kong for instance.
But, that's not it, for those who want to
enjoy a drink or cigar after dinner, you have either the Ritz-Carlton Bar,
fashioned in the style of a gentleman's library or the Davidoff Lounge. Both allow
you to smoke, drink and forget about the world outside for a few hours, which
is very much what this hotel is doing. Even if the Manor that the designers had
in mind might look more like a classical Grand Hotel in the end, you will
certainly have a great stay in this unforgettable city and perfectly run hotel.
