The PuXuan Hotel and Spa

When it comes to brand-new high-end luxury hotels, there’s no place in the world that comes even close to being on China’s level. Not only are extravagant new towers going up in the booming secondary cities, but Beijing’s hotel scene continues to scale new heights as well. A member of the same Urban Resort Concepts group that brought us the extraordinary PuLi in Shanghai, the PuXuan Hotel and Spa is a monumental addition to the capital city’s hospitality scene.

The building, by the Beijing office of the German architect Ole Scheeren, is a sober and dignified one, though it’s contemporary to its core — an imposing silhouette for the business hotel of the future. Inside the lobby and the public spaces it’s rather warmer, full of rich details and natural colors, as well as examples of various Chinese art and craft traditions. And the rooms and suites naturally take things in a softer direction — the visuals, still crisp, are complemented by plush textures and next-level luxuries.

Many rooms overlook the Forbidden City, a short distance away — you’re fifteen minutes’ walk from Tiananmen Square, and close to the Wangfujing shopping district. Here at PuXuan, however, there’s plenty to tempt you to stay in, from the two restaurants, Rive Gauche and Fu Chun Ju, to the UR Spa and the inner sanctum lounge that is the PuXuan Club.