"Simple in concept, excellent in execution, the Brickyard at Mutianyu is a destination in itself, situated about a 90-minutes drive from downtown Beijing in a traditional village. Recovered tile pieces form mosaics that pop out from the red brick walls—a nod to the building’s former life as an imperial tile factory. Brickyard has a modern feel, with rustic Chinese elements that allow this hotel to blend in with the surrounding village. The eco-conscious philosophy carries through to the working organic garden on the grounds. The rooms are open-concept, one side composed entirely of floor-to-ceiling windows, with views of the Great Wall extending atop the hills in the distance. Trails used by locals lead right up to the wall (a rather challenging hike), with no guards around to collect entrance fees. The Brickyard Homes, once peasant homes, have been whimsically restored by the hotel owner. They invite Frank Lloyd Wright–esque comparisons for their ability to integrate spare Asian design into a modern context."

"The Swire Hotels group has infused the business hotel concept with a jolt of hipness. East is located in the Lido neighborhood on the fringe of northeast 4th Ring Road, removed from some of the hustle and bustle of Beijing ’s center. In spite of this setting, the location is nonetheless convenient; the hotel is just a short taxi ride from the airport, and the adjacent Indigo mall offers most of the amenities a traveler could want. A subway stop just outside of East facilitates trips to the city center. The 798 Art Zone, a ten-minute cab ride away, provides a sprawling maze of cafés, galleries, and avant-garde installations."

"Formerly the Grace Beijing. Grace Art Hotel is not particularly close to any of the traditional sights of Beijing , but it’s a great choice for those who've already seen the main attractions. This boutique hotel is located near the funky 798 Art Zone. The graffiti-festooned, Bauhaus-influenced factory zone was an artist enclave for the likes of Ai Weiwei and other modern Chinese artists. New galleries are still pushing the creative frontiers of the Chinese art scene. The Grace Art Hotel is located in a renovated former crystal factory, with stark red bricks dominating the front. The interior, however, is eclectic and modern, filled with abstract artwork and stunning design. A stay in any of the rooms will put guests in a creative mindset."

"Even for travelers who try to avoid malls whenever possible, Beijing's Parkview Green—an odd glass pyramid with impossibly high aerial walkways—is rather impressive. Attached to the Parkview Green is the Hotel Éclat. Service is overwhelmingly good—every guest is guided to his or her room by a staffer upon check-in—and the artwork collection is vast, to say the least. The hotel purportedly has the second-largest collection of Salvador Dali paintings in the world, alongside a good collection of modern Chinese artwork. The steel-and-glass paneled design is incredibly futuristic: Rooms are artfully appointed, evoking a certain thematic atmosphere. Floors are also divided by themes, which can feel a bit hokey,but the hotel makes up for it with suites featuring private pools and clear views of downtown."

"Sanlitun was once a run-down district for young expats and broke students looking for a fun night out. But when the Opposite House, with its modern, green-paneled facade, landed in the middle of this formerly hedonistic paradise, things went distinctly upscale. Sure, there are still a few places just behind the hotel to get a quick drink, but now the area attracts a smart set of young Chinese urban professionals and local fashionistas. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the quirky exterior doesn't do justice to the Asian minimalist styling inside. The entrance itself is a work of art—the huge wooden door has the texture and rawness of age, with beautiful iron handles reminiscent of those adorning the gates in the hutong districts. Inside, find expansive wood floors, glass panels, and rotating art exhibits featuring local artists.The hotel’s restaurant, Jing Yaa Tang, offers one of the best dim sum deals in town, an all-you-can-eat brunch for $25."

"Nestled in the maze of back alleys near Beijing ’s iconic Drum and Bell towers, the Orchid Gulou is a small boutique hotel that caters to adventurous travelers looking for the coziness of a boutique hotel in the middle of the capital. The hotel is a converted siheyuan (courtyard) that, although thoroughly modernized, retains much of the lived-in character of an ancient Chinese home. One of the location’s standout features is a top-level deck that allows you to peek through the tops of old-growth trees for views of the Drum tower and the surrounding hutongs . Room amenities include heated floors, complimentary fruit baskets, and air purifiers."

"Why we love it: A beacon of luxury in Beijing’s famous Wangfujing shopping district The Highlights: - Spacious suites with private movie theaters - Cutting-edge technology and design - Activities like the contemporary art tour at Peninsula Academy The Review: Situated in the heart of the Wangfujing shopping district, The Peninsula opened in 1989 as Beijing’s first luxury hotel. After an extensive modernization in 2017, the property now features 230 lavishly appointed guest rooms, including nearly 20 Beijing Suites that top out at 1,776 square feet and include private movie theaters with 80-inch screens and surround sound. Also included with every stay are high-end perks like tablet technology, deluxe marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, and bedside panels with lighting and temperature controls. Guests even have the chance to learn more about Beijing culture at the Peninsula Academy, which offers activities like tours of the Great Wall, rickshaw rides through Hutong, dumpling-making classes, and more. When hunger strikes, take your pick of four dining and drinking outlets, including Huang Ting, a modern Cantonese restaurant with dim sum favorites like barbecued pork buns, sticky rice chicken, and braised congee with scallops. While there, keep an eye out for decor incorporating the phoenix—a sign of good fortune in China for more than 8,000 years that features prominently in the hotel’s design (there’s even a hand-carved version adorning the lobby’s onyx Spirit Wall). Come time to relax, head to the tranquil Peninsula Spa for a Chinese-, Ayurvedic-, or European-inspired treatment; work up a sweat in the state-of-the-art fitness center; or take a dip in the indoor swimming pool, which is heated to 64 degrees year round for optimal comfort."

"Why we love it: A bespoke stay in one of Beijing’s most notable neighborhoods The Highlights: - Perks like included daily breakfast and complimentary minibars - A luxury spa with state-of-the-art treatments - An on-site tea sanctuary with private tasting areas The Review: Personalized guest experiences are the driving force behind The PuXuan Hotel and Spa, located just outside the Forbidden City in WangFuJing—one of Beijing’s most distinguished arts and cultural districts. The property boasts 116 guest rooms, each of which comes with daily breakfast for two, laundry and pressing services, and a fully stocked minibar. Once checked in and settled, guests will want to head straight for the UR SPA, where tailor-made treatments range from facials and massages to more unique options like energy rituals and touch therapy. It’s the perfect preamble to an evening on site, where two dining outlets welcome guests for delicious dinners. Try Rive Gauche for modern French cuisine like côte de bouef with Béarnaise sauce and spiced pigeon with red plum jus, or Fu Chun Ju for authentic Cantonese fare, including dim sum like steamed chicken feet with black bean sauce and deep-fried shrimp spring rolls. Tea lovers will do well with a trip to the Tea Room, an urban escape offering private tasting spaces, a tea lab, and a retail area for souvenir shoppers."

"While the surroundings of the gilded tower of the Waldorf Astoria Beijing aren't exactly inspiring, the sea of people pouring into Wangfujing gives the neighborhood a lively feel. Opened in 2014, the elegant Waldorf Astoria is undoubtedly designed to cater to nouveau-riche Chinese. The lobby is classic Art Deco, with traces of the orientalism that so fascinated the West during the early 20thcentury. The Waldorf Astoria Hutong Courtyard, where you’ll find the Waldorf Hutong Villa and four Hutong Studios,evokes the Beijing of bygone ages. It's not exactly historic, but it does offer a sense of hutong living."