WHAT'S IT LIKE? After four years of extensive renovation (price tag: US$35 million – the most expensive hotel facelift in Beijing to date), The Peninsula Beijing spells luxury with a capital “L”. The redesigned hotel’s forecourt now opens to a vibrant lobby and one of Beijing’s most prestigious shopping addresses – The Peninsula Arcade, which carries over 50 exclusive designer boutiques.
WHERE IS IT? Within walking distance of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the hotel stands in the centre of Beijing between two main shopping streets of Wangfujing and Dongdan. It is conveniently located near the commercial and government district.
HOW MANY ROOMS? 530 guestrooms and suites spread out across 12 floors.
ROOM FACILITIES: The Duplex Suite at the hotel’s Club floor is uniquely residential in flavour, featuring a downstairs sitting area with a beautiful wooden staircase leading to the upstairs bedroom and luxurious bathroom. It measures nearly 68sq m and features a luxurious marble bathroom with a television over the bath and 42-inch plasma screen televisions in both the bedroom and living area. There’s also a powder room, a fully stocked minibar, CD/DVD player, broadband access, cable TV, in-house movies and butler service.
RESTAURANTS AND BAR: Dining at The Peninsula Beijing is a delightful experience. The hotel is home to two of Beijing’s most sophisticated tables: Jing and Huang Ting. Jing is a super-sleek, “modern meets Asian” restaurant with seating for 210 people. Connected to the lobby by a spiral staircase, it boasts three open kitchens, enclosed private and semi-private rooms and a well-stocked wine cellar with 1,400 bottles of wine. Huang Ting serves exquisite Cantonese cuisine with Beijing specialities in a stylish interpretation of a historic Chinese courtyard. The Lobby Lounge and Bar also offers a superb selection of cocktails, teas and coffees.
BUSINESS CENTRE: Open daily from 0600 to 2400, it provides all services required. Meeting rooms for small groups are also available.
FITNESS CENTRE: It features a modern gym complete with professional instructors; changing rooms, saunas and baths; private rooms for various types of massage. And there’s also a heated pool enclosed by a 20-metre tinted glass and space for barbecue parties, measuring 200sq m.
VERDICT: Impeccable service and world-class amenities set the benchmark for five-star excellence.
PRICE: Minimum rack rate from US$354 for a Deluxe Room, US$600 for a Duplex Suite and US$5,183 for The Peninsula Suite.
CONTACT: 8 Goldfish Lane, Wangfujing, Beijing 100006, tel 88 10 8516 2888, www.beijing.peninsula.com
