Rosewood Beijing

If you’re skeptical of a hotel that calls itself an “urban village,” try to reserve your judgment for just a moment. It’s true that the hoteliers behind the Rosewood Beijing get a bit high-concept at times — what we’d call a concierge, the hotel refers to as “Rosewood curators.” But look past the branding exercises and you’ll find an exceedingly professional, exceptionally well-executed hotel, and one that’s packed with local character.

The hotel is designed around two main elements: exposure to China’s rich cultural heritage, and plush apartment-style accommodations. The striking entryway and lobby are filled with paintings inspired by ancient Chinese art forms, from gongbi brush works to shui-mo ink washes, and each of the spacious guest rooms features an original piece of cloisonné metalwork. Not that the pleasures are all quite so high-minded. Each of the spacious residential-style rooms comes with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the city skyline, large walk-in closets, and even TV screens built into the bathroom mirrors. At every level, the amenities are plentiful — 600-thread-count linens by Frette, Blu-ray players, Sony Sound Bar speaker systems and bespoke bath products by the Florentine perfumer Lorenzo Villoresi.

If the guest rooms don’t already sound restful enough, you can always recharge inside the Sense spa. Deluxe spa suites come with private balconies, separate living areas and access to the hotel’s executive lounge, ideal for afternoon tea or evening cocktails. For everyone else, there’s the yoga room, fitness center and sixth-floor swimming pool — surrounded, of course, by more art, specifically works by leading Chinese sculptors.

All this and it’s right in the heart of the business-centric Chaoyang District — meaning that, between meetings, the hotel itself is pretty much your best bet for a contemplative and art-centric cultural experience.