Beijing Hotels

Like everything else in Beijing, the hotel industry is changing fast, with scores of new hotels having opened in the lead up to the 2008 Olympic Games. Though catering primarily to Beijing's well-defined business and leisure travel markets, some budget options are also available. Prices at international brand hotels are rising fast and gaining parity with other major Asian cities. For mid-range and budget hotels, a reliable hotel reservation website is www.ctrip.com, which offers excellent late-booking deals.

The hotels below have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over US$250)
$$$ (US$150 to US$250)
$$ (US$80 to US$149)
$ (up to US$80)
These prices are for a double room and include all taxes but not breakfast, unless otherwise indicated.

Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel
This long-established Shangri-La hotel, located in the heart of the central business district, heaves daily with repeat-visit decision makers and overseas executives. The business facilities are excellent and the rooms are comfortable with high-tech accoutrements and in-room safes large enough to store a laptop. There is also a sports centre (featuring a rooftop running track), swimming pool and health spa, and a good choice of restaurants.

1 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District
Tel: (10) 6561 8833.
Website: www.shangri-la.com
Price: $$$

The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street
Overlooking Exchange Square in Beijing's new financial district in the west of the capital, the stylish, contemporary décor and large rooms (beginning at 50 sq m / 538 sq ft) mark a new era for the Ritz-Carlton brand. At this 253-room hotel, the signature high-quality service standard is strongly in evidence and the hotel also features three fine restaurants and a health club and spa.

1 Jin Cheng Fang Street East, Financial Street
Tel: (10) 6601 6666.
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Price: $$$$

The St. Regis
After a six-month pre-Olympic renovation, this beautifully appointed business hotel, located between Wangfujing and the China World Centre, is once again one of Beijing's key hotel players. Half of the 258 rooms are suites, and the business facilities and function rooms are exemplary. There are five restaurants and three lounge bars, a spa and gym, and 24-hour butler service for every guest.

21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
Tel: (10) 6460 6688.
Website: www.stregis.com/beijing  
Price: $$$

Park Hyatt Beijing
Beijing's highest hotel towers over the new central business district. The panoramic views, particularly from the 66th-floor China Grill and the 63rd-floor lobby, are magnificent. By some margin Beijing's most opulent international hotel, its 237 rooms and suites feature rainforest shower and spa-style tub, plasma TVs, espresso machine and iPod dock. The Tian Spa is on the 59th and 60th floors, while the swish China Bar overlooks the capital from the 65th floor.

2 Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District
Tel: (10) 8567 1234.
Website: http://beijing.park.hyatt.com
Price: $$$$

Peninsula Beijing
Unbridled luxury doesn't come cheap. Two blocks from Wangfujing, the Peninsula completed an extensive US$27m refurbishment in 2006. Every room has a wall-mounted plasma TV and DVD player, fax machine and sound system. Those who can afford one of the exquisite suites will not feel short-changed. The shopping arcade features 50 luxury brands, there's a signature spa, and the two restaurants blend sophistication and acclaimed cuisine.

8 Goldfish Lane, Dongcheng District
Tel: (10) 8516 2888.
Website: www.peninsula.com/Beijing.aspx  
Price: $$$$

Beijing Ning Xia Hotel
This excellent-value, 128-room hotel, is well located in a hutong district near to Ditan Park. Its clean, good-sized rooms feature modern amenities, Internet access and cable TV. Though aimed largely at Chinese business travellers, its location and price make it a good mid-range travel option. 

Fensiting Xiang (Alley), 13 Andingmennei Street, Dongcheng District
Tel: (10) 6400 9999.
Price: $-$$

North Garden Hotel
This well-run, 4-star hotel's central location - just off Wangfujing shopping street - is complemented by small but comfortable rooms, English-speaking staff, generous breakfast buffet, business centre, gym and spa, and free Internet in all rooms. Excellent value.

218-1 Wangfujing Dajie, Doncheng District
Tel: (10) 6523 8888.
Website: www.north-garden.com  
Price: $$

Guxiang 20
This comfy and cute Imperial-themed boutique hotel is in the heart of Beijing's most famous hutong: Nanluogu Xiang, which has been transformed into a hip bar, café and restaurant district. There's a range of well-priced single, double and suite rooms, plus a supremely kitsch, but somehow rather cool, Imperial-courtyard-meets-upscale, cocktail-lounge style Chinese restaurant stuffed with myriad historic motifs and furnishings.

20 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District
Tel: (10) 6400 5566.
Website: www.guxiang20.com
Price: $$

Red Capital Residence
Located in a 200-year-old courtyard residence, this historically themed boutique hotel incorporates the Red Capital Club restaurant, a communist history-fest. The five suites are decorated in a style to befit 1950s communist leaders, and the bar is a converted bomb shelter. Not cheap, but for sheer 'experience' factor, it is hard to beat.

9 Dongsi Liutiao, Dongcheng District
Tel: (10) 8403 5308.
Website: www.redcapitalclub.com.cn  
Price: $$$