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The Best Hotels to Book in Beijing’s Central Business District

Explore Beijings Central Business District from a luxurious, opulent base like the St Regis Beijing
Explore Beijing's Central Business District from a luxurious, opulent base like the St Regis Beijing | Courtesy of The St Regis Beijing / Expedia

Just over 3km (1.9mi) east of Tiananmen Square, you’ll find Beijing’s centre of commence, home to global headquarters and high-rise shopping malls that have sprouted like bamboo over the past decade. High-end and cosmopolitan in feel, the CBD perfectly distils the economic chutzpah of a developed China, spearheading the rise of New Asia. Here’s where to stay in the area, bookable on Culture Trip.

Rosewood Beijing, for contemporary luxury near the World Financial Center

Hotel

Rosewood Beijing_2febdb78
Courtesy of Rosewood Beijing / Expedia

Guarded by a pair of enormous iron lions, the Rosewood exudes calm and classy sophistication. It’s an ambience elegantly supported by distinctively Chinese landscape murals, and objets d’art that grace its rooms along with lattice-like screens and beautiful lighting that characterise its public spaces. Offset the unapologetically urban panoramas in the rooms with a stint by the plant-fringed, atrium-lit pool, while restaurants range from French bistro fare to hot pot, regional cuisine and Cantonese-style dim sum.

Hotel Jen Beijing by Shangri-La, for digital nomads in the China World Trade Center

Business Hotel, Hotel

Hotel Jen Beijing
Courtesy of Hotel Jen Beijing / Hotels.com

If the millennial business world has beautiful people, they’re very likely hanging out here tapping into the pizzazz of Beijing. Co-working lounges, hot desks and even office rental space provide the uptime. Downtime comes with a huge gym and group fitness classes, traditional Beijing dishes at San Wu Tang restaurant, snacks and pub-grub at Beersmith along with up to 16 beers – some of which may be brewed in-house.

Hotel Éclat Beijing, for art connoisseurs in Parkview Green

Luxury, Hotel

The Hotel Éclat Beijing’s terrace and garden is popular among guests
Courtesy of Hotel Éclat Beijing / Hotels.com

Occupying the upper floors of Parkview Green, a striking pyramid of glass and steel that contains an upscale mall and offices, the Éclat bills itself as a luxury “museum hotel”. It’s no idle boast – rooms and public areas feature over a hundred paintings and sculptures from the likes of Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol and several highly regarded local artists. Design and decor is both high-end and eccentrically playful: the room ambience ranges from chic Parisian apartment to alpine chalet and punk-hipster. Suites feature “lagoons” – because plunge pools are simply too prosaic.

Jianguo Hotel, for leafy surroundings opposite the International Financial Center

Hotel

Jianguo Hotel_129c1fec
Courtesy of Jianguo Hotel / Expedia

Jianguo claims to be the only “garden hotel” in the CBD – largely on account of its open ponds and verdant courtyard, stemming from its 1982 construction when Beijing had more space. It retains a slightly retro feel, which is part of the appeal. Rooms are sensibly furnished in shades of beige and brown, but there’s rather more fun in the public areas. Justine’s, a French restaurant, boasts ceiling drapery and art nouveau decor, while JW 5 Bar is loosely modelled on a British pub.

Ritz-Carlton Beijing, for old school charm near Da Wang Road

Independent Hotel

The Ritz Carlton, Beijing
Courtesy of The Ritz Carlton / Hotels.com

Behind the relatively plain 14-storey facade lies an old-fashioned ambience that taps the elegance of a British country house hotel. Expect solid furniture, sober wallpaper and spacious rooms. Dining options range from traditional English afternoon tea in the Lounge – bolstered by cocktails if needed – to fine Chinese dining in Yu and pan-Asian cuisine from Aroma’s open kitchens.

Wanda Vista Beijing, for an elegant stay near the New World Department Store

Hotel

Wanda Vista Beijing_3f8461fe
Courtesy of Wanda Vista Beijing / Expedia

Externally, the three linked high-rise buildings of the Vista almost resemble giant grilles, both striking yet austere. Inside, the lofty polished-marble lobby features a large arresting peony montage in golden bas-relief framing reception. This sets the tone for a thoroughly modern and agreeably swanky property with numerous Chinese accents, from lattice screens to cloud-design carpets echoing traditional paintings. This tasteful restrained opulence comes with an indoor heated pool.

Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong, for an indoor pool near the 2nd Ring Road

Hotel

Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong_7c5ae458
Courtesy of Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong / Expedia

Wedged among high- and low-rises, the rather fetching traditional garden and pavilion of the Otani seem as valiant as they are incongruous. Interiors are rather snazzier than suggested by its stark functional facade – earthy palettes, Chinese accents and decorative motifs along with recessed ceiling lighting help lend a subdued but sophisticated air. Dedicated Cantonese and Japanese restaurants offer convenient dining, and there’s a good-sized indoor pool under a barrel-vaulted glass roof.

The St Regis Beijing, for unparalleled luxury near the Temple of the Sun

Hotel, Luxury

The St Regis Beijing_6f223128
Courtesy of The St Regis Beijing / Expedia

The vast jutting porch with a fountain at the St Regis looks set to shelter presidential limos and welcome VIPs at any given moment. Yet irrespective of your international credentials, all guests can enjoy the celebrated St Regis Butler Service, from unpacking garments to delivering freshly pressed coffee or brewed tea. A balconied lobby hung with tiered chandeliers sets the elegant, stately atmosphere that pervades the property. There’s a magnificent glass-walled indoor pool, and the Iridium Spa taps natural hot springs from a kilometre underground.

About the author

Freelance travel writer, copywriter, copyeditor and photographer. I've contributed features to most of the UK broadhseet newspapers and quality travel magazines. I'm also a contributing photographer to AWL Images, a specialist travel picture library.

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