The Peninsula Beijing

"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."

"Give us an establishing shot of the hotel, and let us know why it caught your attention.It would be too easy to say this hotel—fresh off a $123 million refurbishment—has been restored to its former glory. Instead, it's readied itself for the next generation of loyal fans. You'll still be wowed by the traditional Chinese facade, and the Rolls Royces that deliver the hotel's tony guests to their plush accommodations. You'll also love the investment it's made in technology to smooth out and enhance each guest's stay, eschewing traditional check-in desks for staffers with tablets who can do it all, from getting you into your room to booking spa appointments and restaurant reservations. Imagine that other travelers at the hotel are part of a tribe. Who else do you see here?Peninsula attracts a moneyed clientele; this location, especially on the heels of its facelift, has its fair share of jet-setting millennials. Almost every nook in the place is made for Instagram, from the iconic exterior to the clean, white lobby with grand columns, to the pool and the art collection selected with Michael Suh, executive director at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Beijing. The stylish guests who breeze through here are taking selfies un-self-consciously, and you'll be joining them. Tell us all about your room.In its renovation, the hotel cut its number of guest rooms from 525 to 230; now, all of them are suites. They're also the biggest in Beijing. Decor was inspired by luxury private yachts, so expect lots of light and airiness, furniture that kind of blends into the mix, and muted gray tones with aquamarine accents. Chinese motifs and artwork keep it rooted in its location. Beds are oversized and cloud-like, with comforters and pillows that look impossibly puffy and guarantee you sleep uninterrupted. Now for the small stuff. What are the in-room amenities you'd tell your friends about?If you're staying at here, you know that amenities come with the program. But the amenities tend to delight in softer ways—and that's a compliment. It's a grand hotel, but not over-the-top. Rooms are customizable: there are bedside and desk tablets that can be preset in 11 languages to control all room functions, as well as access room service menus. Bathrooms have large soaking tubs and rain showers; Wi-Fi is complimentary, and rooms have printer-scanners and a portable VoIP phone that offers free international calls. The hotel is anticipating its guests' needs and providing them before you even have to ask. What about room service?Why not get room service? There's plenty of space to enjoy it! It's accessed electronically, available 24 hours, and features Cantonese, Italian, Continental, Asian, and vegetarian options. A children's menu is also available. If you had to award a trophy to a member of the staff, who would be the winner, and why?Don't make me choose just one. The entire staff is a delight. What else is special about this hotel?First, the location. It's on Goldfish Lane (Jinyu Hutong) in Beijing's historic Wangfujing district, minutes away from the likes of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the National Theatre. The spa is also famous for a reason. Choose from Chinese, Ayurvedic, or European therapies, and don't skip the thermal bathing facilities, or a snack in the Oriental Tea Lounge. Finally, the hotel's programming worth noting: The Peninsula Academy offers custom experiences such as helicopter tours of the Great Wall, rickshaw Hutong tours, tea ceremonies, martial arts, and more. Bottom line: Why or why wasn't this hotel worth the money, time, and effort it would take an average person to book it?People pay top dollar to stay at the Peninsula Beijing, but they know it's not a gamble. It's a cosseting experience from start to finish, and a fine way to ensure your entire trip is seamless." - Corina Quinn