WHAT'S IT LIKE? Reflecting Westin’s new lifestyle bent, it’s replete with attractive touches such as the earth-toned interiors, mood music, ambient lighting and evening rituals designed to stimulate all five senses and soften the stress of the travelling life. A wealth of information on how guests can take advantage of these perks is scattered around the guestrooms in strategic places that you can’t miss.
WHERE IS IT? An early hotel anchor tenant (there are two others) in the ambitious Financial Street development – envisioned as Beijing’s answer to New York City’s Wall Street. Near the area is the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. According to the hotel brochure, the distance to the international and domestic terminals is approximately 40 minutes and to Beijing West Railway Station, 20 minutes. But with the city’s ever-worsening congestion problem, one should try to leave earlier than later.
HOW MANY ROOMS? 486 guestrooms and suites with 194 serviced residences in the building next door. Sixty units of the hotel’s inventory have been designated as Renewal Rooms (pictured), offering special amenities and services to rejuvenate weary souls. For fitness buffs, there are two WestinWORKOUT Rooms that come with their own treadmill and other exercise paraphernalia.
ROOM FACILITIES: At more than 60sqm, space in the Renewal Room was the obvious draw. The work area was like a mini office, with a side table to place loads of documents, a touch-screen phone and a neatly arranged bar area. We could have sat in the sleek but comfortable Herman Miller chair for hours – it’s a wonder how top-of-the-line furniture dramatically improves productivity. (Is our boss hearing this?) There was a BOSE wave radio, which looked nice but we never had the time to make use of.
But we did take advantage of the Bath Master, a concept pioneered by Westin Beijing’s management and is being rolled out in its sister properties.
Not just one but two ladies showed up after dinner to set the scene. When we complained about a persistent ache on the left side of our neck, one of them performed an impromptu 15-minute massage. The soak that followed and the dreamless sleep on Westin’s much-trumpeted Heavenly Bed can only be described as “near Nirvana”.
RESTAURANTS: At Westin’s signature Italian table, Prego, diners are entertained, watching the chefs whiz around filling orders or firing up the pizza oven. Jewel, showcasing regional Chinese dishes, offers a more sedate, but elegant setting. Senses is for all-day dining and Treats answers the need for on-the-go meals.
Those who prefer to go healthy and light, can try the in-room spa menu which lists specially concocted meals aimed at re-energising or relaxing. Both traditional Chinese and over-the-counter remedies such as bao ji (for indigestion) and Tylenol are also listed in the same brochure.
BARS: Located by the pool, Shui Bar is perfect for fitness fanatics, offering health elixirs and a spa menu. For stiffer drinks, it’s Buzz and Plus at your service.
BUSINESS FACILITIES: A dedicated floor features a ballroom divisible by three and seven additional meeting rooms that add up to 1,686sqm of space for holding various functions, a meeting planners lounge and business centre with Wi-Fi internet access. Bigger events can be accommodated in the 1,808-square-metre Beijing Financial Street Conference Centre next door.
LEISURE FACILITIES: The Heavenly Spa specialises in modern hydrotherapy and Chinese-inspired therapies, some of which can be conducted in the guestrooms. Duration is between 50 minutes and 90 minutes.
PRICE: Internet rate from US$90.76 nightly for a three-night stay in early December.
VERDICT: Although we could not take advantage of most of the services, it was reassuring to know the hotel had made available a variety of options geared towards putting us completely at ease.
CONTACT: 9B Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100032, China, tel 86 10 6606 8866, www.westin.com/beijingfinancial
Margie T Logarta
