Beijing's Best Staycations: Get Away Without Going Away

Whether it’s a romantic stay for Valentine’s Day or a change of scenery for Chinese New Year, there’s no need to leave our fair city for a bit of luxury and some five-star pampering. Follow our guide to these premium staycations at fine hotels throughout Beijing and give yourself a break during the February holidays.

Aman at Summer Palace
Located just steps away from the east gate of the Summer Palace, Aman is housed in a series of buildings originally used by guests awaiting an audience with Empress Dowager Cixi. The 43 luxurious rooms and suites combine modern amenities with traditional Chinese touches like Ming-style furnishings and original wood beams. The out of the way location means you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep in your king-size, four-poster bed.

Do: Go ice skating on the Summer Palace’s Kunming Lake
Eat: Aman’s kaiseki restaurant Naoki combines French technique with Japanese culinary artistry
Price: RMB 5,200, Courtyard Guestroom (not available February 18-24)
Perks: Early check in, late check out; daily breakfast; one hour Chinese massage; RMB 200 restaurant credit; upgrade subject to availability
 

Intercontinental Beijing Financial Street
Treat that very special someone to a night of international-standard, five-star elegance at the Intercontinental Beijing Financial Street. Sure, the location may not be the first to spring to mind for a staycation, but we say that’s all the more excuse to explore this undervalued part of town. Alternatively, stay in and take a dip in the indoor pool, before relaxing in your elegant, low key room.

Do: Take a stroll in the diminutive, and often overlooked, Yuetan Park
Eat: Take a short taxi ride to Deshengmen Neidajie and search out Hutong 44 Kitchen, which serves up authentic Guizhou style food in a small courtyard
Price: RMB 2,888, available on February 14 only
Perks: Set dinner for two at Steak Exchange Restaurant + Bar, valued at RMB 2,288; book before February 11 and get a free upgrade to a suite
 

Waldorf Astoria Beijing
Imagine coming home to your own private courtyard. Well, you don’t have to imagine anymore at Waldorf Astoria’s Hutong Courtyard. Located in a separate wing from the hotel proper, the two painstakingly authentic courtyards hold three studios, one terrace studio and one villa. Enter through a secret underground passage, where you’ll be greeted by modern rooms with tasteful Chinese details. The bathrooms, with Acqua di Parma products, are a special delight.

Do: Window shop on adjacent Wangfujing Dajie
Eat: Don’t leave without indulging in a piece of the Waldorf’s signature Red Velvet Cake. Just don’t.
Price: Three nights, RMB 23,700
Perks: Hutong butler; welcome tea service; daily cocktails and canapés; choice of Chinese or continental breakfast served in-room; dim sum at Zijin Mansion; 90-minute Signature Body Massage
 

Ritz-Carlton Beijing
Despite being surrounded by shiny skyscrapers in the heart of Beijing, the Ritz-Carlton still screams “old world charm.” Their Club Level rooms are on the chintzy side, but still feature mod-cons like an iPhone dock and 42-inch LCD television. The accompanying Club Lounge offers spectacular views across the city (weather permitting), as well as a dedicated concierge service to help you plan out the details of your staycation.

Do: Nod appreciatively at the artworks in the Today Art Museum in nearby Pingod
Eat: Head over to Shin Kong Place for some of Beijing’s best Neapolitan pizzas at Fissler Academy Café
Price: RMB 2,450
Perks: Book two nights, get the second night free; access to Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, including complimentary food and drink throughout the day
 

Grace Beijing
Set in the heart of 798 Art District, it’s no wonder that Grace Beijing has become a favorite with artists and arty types alike. There’s no doubt this is a stylish hotel, effortlessly incorporating hints of the area’s industrial past with modern artist elements befitting its current status. And with just 30 rooms, you’re not likely to have your romantic getaway disturbed by other guests.

Do: Grace Beijing guests get free entry to UCCA and 5 percent off the UCCASTORE
Eat: If you don’t fancy Grace Beijing’s serene Yi House restaurant, call by Eatalia for Italian classics in an art-inspired setting
Price: From RMB 625
Perks: 50 percent off room rate; daily breakfast; welcome Champagne; 10 percent off a la carte dining
 

Raffles Hotel Beijing
With its seat right on Chang’an Jie, just minutes from Tian’anmen, a night at Raffles really feels like you’re taking in a piece of history. You’ll feel even more so if you stay in one of their nine 80-sqm Personality Suites, all named after famous personalities like Sun Yat-sen and George Bernard Shaw who patronized the hotel in its heyday and furnished with unique memorabilia.

Do: Fight the crowds at Tiananmen Square for a good spot to view the daily sunset flag lowering
Eat: French Restaurant Jaan’s Executive Chef Cyrille Mollé was previously behind the stoves at Parnas
Price: RMB 2,888, Personality Suite
Perks: Set dinner at Jaan; breakfast for two; access to Club Lounge and accompanying privileges
 

Photos: Courtesy of the hotels

Comments

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Thank you, WJH.

I was just searching around for older articles like this but couldn't find any. Thank god I didn't post something in the forums to ask for suggestions.

@JW80: You strike me as the kind of kid who recently left his parent's home and discovered that he had a profound talent for exerting control and influence on the world. Via anonymous comments.

Why do all you cheapskates got to get all upset when a free magazine posts information that feels vaguely commercial? Grow up and get jobs already.

Thanks JW80 for your suggestions. A lot better than what the actual 'writers' of this article came up with.

"You know, I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask
where they're going and hook up with 'em later."
- Mitch Hedberg

Ha. Welcome to The Beijinger. Where the employees will stoop to petty insults and always have the last word in flame wars. The only prerequisite for being a "writer" here is acting superior to everyone and pandering to the advertisers with bullsh*t articles. Wankert and Wester are the kings of sitting around stroking each others... egos. Good job, gang. You win because you are so professional.

@JW80 -- I stand corrected. Thanks for letting me know it's not a place for an acid trip.

The Waldorf deal certainly sounds like a bargain, unfortunatelly I'm allergic to Red Velvet Cake Sad

In the meantime, thanks to JW, interesting alternatives/new options!

JW80 wrote:

I love that the Beijinger management go-to response is always sh*tting on their readers. Everyone here has made valid points and not even a bit trollesque. Maybe just sit back and take some advice for once, you bunch of egotistic, rude, wankers. I tried to be genuinely helpful and give valid feedback.

JW80 wrote:
I clicked this with genuine interest in the subject only to find this obvious BS.

JW80 wrote:
Wasted opportunity, just copy and pasting the hotel directory and calling it an article.

JW80 wrote:
A quick Google will find the answers you desire. But since journalism is not really your bag, here you go

JW80 wrote:
you bunch of egotistic, rude, wankers

Seems to me you're the one doing the majority of the sh*tting, sir

Respectfully submitted,

-- The Management

 

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

I love that the Beijinger management go-to response is always sh*tting on their readers. Everyone here has made valid points and not even a bit trollesque. Maybe just sit back and take some advice for once, you bunch of egotistic, rude, wankers. I tried to be genuinely helpful and give valid feedback. Take it or not, no need to be all "wah wah, you guys are not as good as us".

Thanks, ohdjango. Mistake noted.

Yawn. You guys stay at home and drink Yanjing. That's your permanent staycation.

For the price of just one night at a hotel listed you could hop on a plane to a nearby country that really has five star hotels and stay in a fab hotel for half the price. I know it's a staycation but people aren't stupid. When it comes to Thai food I rather spend 3000 round trip on a plane ticket to Bangkok and eat real Thai food. Plus they have great deals on hotels there.

Yeah, why do people who live in Beijing go and stay in a Beijing hotel? That's super retarded.

@JW80 'If you don't htink that Cummune by the Wall is not papmering' should either say 'If you think that Commune by the Wall is not pampering' or 'If you don't think that Commune by the Wall is pampering'. You're welcome.

@mnteror. If you don't htink that Cummune by the Wall is not papmering, then you clearly did not bother to search for it online before making your comment. It is extremely luxurious.

All of the things I mentioned are literally an hours drive away. How exacly is that not Beijing? I think that the majority of the people who read this site and magazine would really rather find some interesting places around which show them a new and unique side to Beijing rather than drop 5000rmb per night to visit the super exotic streets of... erm... Shuangjing... or um... Wangfujing. Yeah, those be some fun times.

Admin,

A quick Google will find the answers you desire. But since journalism is not really your bag, here you go:

I loved Commune and thought it was really special.
http://www.communebythegreatwall.com/

This is Lotus Thai.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294212-d1953336-Reviews-Lotus_Thai-Beijing.html
Yes, I have been, this is why I am able to comment on the surprising quality of their Thai food. Definitely get the BBQ ribs, cooked on the actual BBQ on the deck and a massive serving.

Here is an actual article about Liyuan Library. This looks way more interesting than a night in 798. Must try to find it some time.
http://www.smartbeijing.com/articles/travel/offbeat-road-trip-to-liyuan-library

This is why I clicked on this blog. I was hoping that there would be more gems such as these which I already know of. Beijing is a great place. 5-star hotels are certainly not the best thing about our great city. The nice hotels I have stayed in here pale in comparison to the level of service you get from somewhere much cheaper in any other country.

The author clearly has being pampered "and no need to leave our city" in mind. @JW80 -- communes don't exactly scream pampering. And whilst still Beijing, it could be argued the places you listed near The Wall aren't in "the city." With that being said, V-day is on a Saturday, so visiting places further afoot is possible.

JW80, I believe the focus of the story was places that were in the city (as opposed to just outside it).

But sounds like you have a lot of experience with some of those places just outside the city... can you tell us more about which ones you recommend? Would be great to add to the comments on this article for the benefit of others coming here.

Commune by the Great Wall: I've been there and didn't think it was all that worth it.

Lotus Thai -- sounds cool, have not heard of it. Have you been?

The Liyuan Library -- same as above

And how to find a good local guest house to stay in for super cheap where they cook you three meals a day and treat you like family -- great idea for another article

Brickyard Retreat and The Schoolhouse Mutianyu -- been dying to try it

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20