EAST, Beijing

A hotel’s business-oriented amenities aren’t usually worth more than a cursory mention — there’s only so much you can say about a conference rooms or a computer center. But EAST, Beijing puts such a stylish spin on the “work” half of the work/life balance, we’re actually kind of intrigued. Billing itself as a “lifestyle business hotel,” EAST offers a smooth, high-tech experience from check-in to check-out, allowing guests to move seamlessly from lounges to surprisingly chic work spaces.

At 369 rooms, the hotel looms large over Beijing’s Indigo development complex, a sort of pop-up cultural and shopping center designed to give residents of such a sprawling metropolis a downtown space to chill out (and spend money, of course). While that makes it sound like a great big dystopian mall, the rooms at EAST are packed with enough quirky elements — not to mention such humane comforts as spacious rain showers — to make them feel anything but generic. Floor-to-ceiling windows abound, so opt for a corner room if you can — the panoramic views are excellent.

Special executive suites have access to Upstairs, a semi-exclusive business lounge that brings the cocktail hour straight to your desk. When it’s time to clock out (or anytime, for those who never clocked in at all), Feast does international cuisine, while Hagaki serves up modern Japanese. For the night owls, Xian pulls double-duty as a bar and live jazz club, taking its cues from the gleaming industrial design of the nearby 798 Art Zone.

How to get there:
EAST Beijing is located 12 miles from Beijing International Airport (PEK). Transfers are available by Mercedes Benz or Audi A6 at a cost of 550 RMB each way. The Beijing Train Station is approximately 10 miles from the hotel.