New World Beijing Hotel

Back in 2013, the New World Beijing became the first luxury hotel to open in Chongwenmen, and—being a 12-story stone-clad structure as opposed to a sky-high glass tower—it fits in well with the surrounding area. The restrained facade, however, belies the dramatic common areas found inside. On the lobby level, for example, angular expanses of tawny marble are offset by dark woods; then combined with hits of classic red lacquer and calligraphic elements to create a look that's both strikingly modern and unmistakably Chinese. The guests who gather there are a mix of business travelers and tourists, many of them foreigners who are happy to lap up luxury at a price that’s surprisingly low by Western standards. 

The New World Beijing is situated in Chongwenmen, a lesser known but rapidly developing section of Beijing’s famed Dongcheng district. The Temple of Heaven lies a mile due south, while Tiananmen Square is the same distance northwest. You can walk to either in 25 minutes or use public transit, though the latter actually takes longer. Other destinations are also easy to access: the Forbidden City and Beijing Central Business District can be reached by car in 15 minutes, while the pedestrian pleasures of Wangfujing Street and the swank shops of Oriental Plaza are closer still. Depending on traffic, it’s about a 48-minute drive to Beijing Capital International Airport, and transfers can be arranged through the hotel.

• Eight-minute walk to Chongwenmen Subway Station
• 10-minute walk to the New World Shopping Mall
• 23-minute walk to Tiananmen Square (or seven-minute drive)
• 25-minute walk to the Temple of Heaven (or 10-minute drive)
• Eight-minute drive to Beijing Railway Station
• Nine-minute drive to Oriental Plaza/Wangfujing Street
• 10-minute drive to the National Centre for the Performing Arts
• 15-minute drive to the Forbidden City
• 17-minute drive to Jingshan Park
• 24-minute drive to Beijing Zoo
• 30-minute drive to Beijing National Stadium
• 48-minute drive to Beijing Capital International Airport

Unlike the public areas, the accommodations—ranging from 506-square foot Superior Rooms to 4,305-square foot Suites—have a soft, soothing palette and an uncluttered contemporary decor. Generously sized desks and comfy window-front sitting areas give them an extra layer of practicality, while Chinese ink-brush artwork adds a welcome local touch. All come with coffee/tea-making supplies, minibars, 40-inch LCD TVs pulling in international channels, iPhone speakers, charging points, laptop safes, and free Wi-Fi. Posh marble bathrooms with soaker tubs, rainforest showers, and top-end toiletries are also standard. Upper-tier options, however, feature further perks. Deluxe Rooms, for instance, add walk-in closets; Premier Rooms include those plus DVD players and Nespresso machines; and Residence Club Rooms on Levels 9 and 10 provide access to an executive lounge (aka the Living Room) where guests benefit from free breakfasts, afternoon hors d'oeuvres, all-day beverages, use of convenient work stations, and assorted business services. In addition to lounge privileges and more square footage, the Suites here (some of the city’s largest) have separate living/dining rooms and, in certain cases, kitchenettes.

In keeping with its luxury status, the New World Beijing promises attentive, intuitive service and a luxe line-up of facilities for corporate and leisure travelers alike. The former will appreciate the hotel’s event space: 16,600-square feet worth, including a ballroom, boardrooms, breakout rooms, and discreet corners for impromptu confabs. The presence of dedicated meeting planners, up-to-the-minute multimedia technology, and a business center offering secretarial and translation support is an added bonus.

All guests, on the other hand, can enjoy a quartet of dining and drinking venues. The elegant signature restaurant, 8 Qi Nian (complete with eight private dining rooms) prepares provincial specialties on the second level; the more casual, market-inspired Tian Tan Kitchen offers a buffet of Chinese and Western dishes beneath a basket-weave ceiling; and Tang, off the lobby, serves light bites and teas from across the globe by day before switching to Champagne and cocktails each evening. After dark, Yin on 12 takes things up a notch, literally: This rooftop bar, catering to the sophisticated see-and-be-seen set, boasts alfresco bevvies, resident DJs, live soft-rock, and unobstructed views. 

A third-floor Health Club—featuring a stylish indoor swimming pool with an adjacent sundeck and whirlpool, a big, bright fitness center outfitted with LifeFitness equipment, a sauna, a steam room, plus a spa with tempting treatments—rounds out the list of major facilities. All of the other expected amenities are provided as well: concierge and dry-cleaning/laundry services, 24-hour room service, airport transfers, nightly turndowns, and free Wi-Fi among them.