Hotel review: Rosewood Beijing (China)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a luxury hotel and/or flight review.

Today (April 22, 2015): Review of the Rosewood Beijing (China).

• Location: Google Maps
• Address: Jing Guang Centre, Hujialou, Beijing, BJ, China
• Hotel website: Rosewood Beijng
• Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso

Rosewood Beijing is the first China property for the ultraluxurious Rosewood Hotels & Resorts Group, taking contemporary sophistication to new heights. Located right in the heart of China’s bustling capital, the superb hotel is a place where age-old traditions merge beautifully with this era’s exciting possibilities, reflecting the Beijing’s compelling culture, history and geography. Despite only opening late last year, Rosewood Beijing has already proved itself to be one of Beijing’s best hotels.

Rosewood Beijing features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in China and my list of the best new luxury hotels of 2014.

In this review (more info below the slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there

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PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• The Rosewood Beijing has an excellent location, right in the heart of Beijing’s Central Business District (directly across from the iconic CCTV Tower), surrounded by urban skyscrapers, high-end shopping and world-class performances. The hotel is also steps away from the Hujialou subway station where two important lines intersect.

• The hotel’s entrance gate is flanked by huge bronze dragons that give way to a leafy courtyard.

• A keen feeling of space permeates the hotel’s warmly decorated, multi-storey lobby, which features impressive art works such as Liyongfei’s Shan Shui Mountainscape and calligraphy by Ma Tianbo.

• The hotel is managed by the legendary Rosewood Hotels & Resorts group, one of the world’s most exclusive, ultraluxurious hotel brands.

• The 283 brilliantly designed rooms and suites are amongst the largest in the city and evoke sensations of lavish apartment living. All guestrooms feature spacious bathrooms (clad in marble with bespoke toiletries from Florence’s Lorenzo Villoresi), walk-in closets, original cloisonné paintings, beautiful fine art prints, floor-to-ceiling windows, and built-in TVs within the bathroom mirrors.

• Most rooms enjoy a spectacular view of the iconic CCTV building.

• The hotel features a stunning indoor, 830-square-meter heated, swimming pool, with a separate large jacuzzi. A haven of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of Beijing, this is a pool that is as grand as it is soothing, as ambitiously built as it is intimately relaxing. The pool also offers a stunning view through the domed glass roof framed by exotic trees. For art lovers, an extra perk is works by the famous Chinese artist Liyongfei.

• If you have any time at all, do indulge in the exceptionally beautiful Sense spa. Featuring six treatment rooms with balconies and five spa suites for overnight stays, guests experience the ultimate indulgence here.

• There’s no need to leave the hotel for dinner as the Rosewood features some of the best restaurants in Beijing, offering exquisite cuisine and exceptional service in a Chinese-influenced, modern atmosphere. With six restaurants and lounges focusing on traditional Chinese cuisine, Asian flavors and European-inspired dishes, guests can savor an extraordinary dining destination. Country Kitchen (their Chinese restaurant) is absolutely fantastic, with high quality dishes, great wine and drink selection, and great service; there is also a balcony with amazing views perfect for those rare days when Beijing displays perfect weather.

• If you can, you should splurge to have access to the he seventh floor executive club, the Manor Club, which has the best food and beverage (Billecart Salmon champagne both brut and rose) of any executive floor I have ever been to. It truly feels like a private club, complete with fireplaces, bar and billiard table, Wooden shelves and book displays line the walls, reminiscent of a private residence. Complimentary breakfast, lunch snacks, afternoon tea and evening cocktails are available as well as refreshments throughout the day.

• The breakfast choices are nothing short of amazing, with a good balance with pastries, cereals, fruit and yoghurt, Chinese dishes, egg stations, and al la carte items.

• Exclusive limousine service is provided for guests that want to commute and tour in style. The fleet includes Range Rover Stretch and Jaguar XJL vehicles, that are available for airport pick up and drop off services, city sightseeing services, ad-hoc car rental and Great Wall tours. All cars come with ample amenities, including TV/iPads, mobile phones, seat warmers/coolers, beverage tables, champagne fridges, as well as bottled water, moisturizer, snacks, magazines and music selection.

• What sets the Rosewood apart is the impeccable service. It is very clear that management spend time and effort recruiting and training high quality, English-speaking staff.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Rosewood Beijing is truly a top-notch, world-class hotel. I definitely plan to return to this property whenever I am in Beijing, and I can recommand it to everyone. The hotel is so close to perfection. There is just one minor thing that you may want to know:

• This is China and internet access is heavily controlled. There are many sites (e.g. Google, Youtube) and server access outside of the country that are simply not accessible due to restrictions applied beyond the hotel’s control.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 8/10
• Design: 9/10
• Rooms: 9/10
• Food: 9/10
• Service: 9/10
• Overall experience: excellent: 8.8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury resort like the Rosewood Beijing (and receive many free perks).

• Save money: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, $100 USD food credit).

• If you can afford it, you should splurge to have access to the brillant Manor Club. It includes complimentary breakfast, lunch snacks, afternoon tea and evening cocktails are available as well as refreshments throughout the day, in-room check in and in-room check out, butler service, and laundry/pressing service (four pieces per day).

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time. Passport and visa requirements differ from country to country. Please check with your local authority before booking.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Beijing has four discernible seasons – short windy spring, long hot summer, cool pleasant autumn but long chilly winter. July and August temperatures can exceed 40 C (104 F). January can dip to -20 C (-4 F). There are frequent sandstorms in spring, and that makes the autumn months of September and October, when all considered, the best time to visit Beijing.

HOW TO GET THERE

Beijing can easily be reached by plane, train or car. For those coming by plane, the hotel is located a 45-minute cab ride from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Check the Wikipedia page of Beijing Capital International Airport for an updated list of airlines that offer direct flights to Beijing.

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