The Best Hotels in Beijing, China

Set just to the north of Beijing’s river-lined Forbidden City palace complex, Cours Et Pavillons channels the area’s historic vibe with seven luxury rooms in a converted hutong (traditional alleyway dwelling). Contemporary sofas join antiques from the Ming and Qing dynasties – think old wall prints and wooden carved furniture – to lend a chic vibe to this intimate space, painted in crimson red and calming jade. Rooms open onto an atmospheric courtyard studded with trees and potted plants. A fine-dining French restaurant adds yet another modern twist.

Part of a collective of China’s most stylish hotels, the Kengo Kuma-designed Opposite House doubles as a gallery. The striking emerald-green exterior is a nod to traditional Chinese latticework, while bold art pieces are woven into the lobby and restaurant spaces. Feast on modern Peking duck at Michelin-starred Jing Yaa Tang – or beers and dumplings at Superfly – then retire to serene, light-flooded rooms dressed in white and natural wood. Wake up early for a Sunday morning yoga session by the glassy indoor pool.

The 798 Art Zone, a complex of old military buildings reimagined as galleries and creative spaces, is one of Beijing’s most thrilling contemporary sights – and NUO, just to the west, is perfectly situated nearby. Sip cocktails on a terrace while taking in live music, or taste fine teas (sourced directly from Chinese plantations by the hotel) in a swish contemporary dining area. Dark tones with saturated pops of colour dominate both rooms and public spaces alike, lending a sophisticated feel all around.

Beijing stays don’t get more luxurious than The Peninsula. After a Rolls-Royce collects you at the airport, white-suited bellmen will guide you through an elegant lobby before serving up gourmet afternoon tea. Classically elegant rooms are fitted with discrete tech, from tablet-controlled lights to nail dryers, whilst a shopping arcade boasts the likes of Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Sign up for one of the exclusive expert-led experiences to learn kung fu within the Temple of Heaven walls for an unforgettable experience.

What’s better than visiting Beijing’s opulent Summer Palace? Staying (almost) right on its grounds. Set in historic, century-old pavilions with tiled roofs and accents of red and jade, this hotel channels all the historic elegance of the revered monument, with a modern touch thrown in. Contemporary lattice-wood detailing meets crisp whites in bedrooms, while an underground spa boasts Chinese medicine-inspired treatments. Best of all? A private entrance pours you straight onto the Summer Palace grounds so you can explore before the crowds arrive.

Cool and casual, this stay in the heart of Beijing’s business centre provides a dose of fun for travellers coming to China’s capital to work. Frosty glasses of craft beer are dished up daily at gastropub Beersmith, while an open kitchen keeps the energy up at Beijing-style restaurant San Wu Tang. Group Zumba classes and pilates are on hand when you want to destress after a big day, while co-working spaces let you tick off tasks and socialise at the same time.

Note to shopaholics: EAST is handily located at the edge of one of Beijing’s best malls, with multiple floors of designer brands and eating spots. Dressed in art and furniture pieces by young Chinese creatives, the hotel has a real energy about it, too. Expect stand-out sculpture, ink paintings and boundary-pushing photography. Rooms come with big windows overlooking the city – as does the pool area, which is atmospherically lit for moody after-dark swims.

Beijing’s edition of the Four Seasons blends the brand’s world-renowned class and top-notch service with a location in the central Chaoyang district. There’s a lot to love here, not least of all the breadth of dining options, among them an Italian restaurant (Mio), a traditional Chinese place (Cai Yixuan), and even a tranquil tea garden. An excellent spa is perfect to while away an entire day, trying KORE physiotherapy, relaxing with hot-stone therapy, or joining serene yoga classes.

Bright green and yellow walls give Hotel Cote Cour Beijing a fun, energising vibe. A 15-minute walk from Wangfujing, one of the city’s main shopping streets, it’s a boutique intimate stay both for couples and small families (one of the rooms sleeps up to three). Despite the small hotel size, there’s still plenty of in-house attractions such as a rooftop bar, a concierge service, laundry facilities, a cafe and covered patios, as well as bathrobes and slippers in all rooms.