Conrad Beijing – Review

The Conrad Beijing Hotel is set within a striking 29-storey tower designed by MAD Architects in Beijing’s Sanlitun district. This contemporary five-star hotel in the heart of the Chinese capital has 289 guest rooms, three restaurants, lobby lounge, an impressive spa and fitness centre, and an executive lounge with panoramic views across the city skyline. The hotel opened in 2013 and is a well-positioned base for both business and leisure travellers, offering good value for a genuine five-star experience.

The Conrad Beijing makes a strong first impression. Architect Ma Yansong has created an organic, almost cellular facade to this striking tower, with irregularly shaped curved windows that have become something of a Beijing landmark. The design is distinctive against the shining towers of the nearby business district. From the inside, the views from those huge windows are spectacular.

We stayed on the 23rd floor and could see across adjacent Tuanjie Lake Park, and to the cluster of signature towers of the CBD skyline, including the CITIC Tower (also known as China Zun, at 528 metres the tallest building in China), the distinctive loop of the CCTV Headquarters where two leaning towers merge in a dramatic 75-metre cantilever, and the dome of the People’s Daily building.

The lobby is businesslike, but step to the side and you find a curved corridor lined in red that is the hotel’s boutique, a far more striking space that hints at the design flair elsewhere in the property.

Executive Suite

Our Executive Suite measured around 90 square metres and followed the organic curve of the building. The living room was a sweeping corner space with floor-to-ceiling windows, a large sectional sofa, and a 52-inch television. The space was decorated with contemporary art, small sculptures, and a large orchid. On the coffee table was a wooden glass box with pull-out shelves revealing little ceramic dishes of fresh raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, alongside handmade cookies decorated with Chinese designs, a bottle of red wine. We were also gifted two blue Conrad Beijing bears, each Asian Conrad having its own design. It was a very thoughtful welcome.

The suite had an air purifier, a common feature in Asian hotels, although I must say we found Beijing to be a very clean city, with excellent air quality during our visit. Almost all the vehicles in the city were electric and local industry has long since moved out of the urban area.

Automated curtains were throughout, and intuitive lighting controls sat within easy reach of the bed. The bedroom itself was generous, with another television and a lounge chair positioned by the window to take in the views. A dressing room offered ample space for cases, and a separate guest WC sat near the entrance lobby.

The bathroom was another highlight. The bathtub was positioned against floor-to-ceiling glass with views across the city, with a little rubber duck placed on the side, a playful Conrad signature. Twin vanities, a walk-in shower, and both scarlet Chinese-style robes and Western white robes completed the experience. Amenities are Byredo’s Mojave Ghost collection.

Executive Lounge

Executive Suite guests have access to the 29th-floor Executive Lounge, and this proved one of the stay’s pleasures. Benefits include breakfast (6.30 am to 11 am), afternoon tea (3 pm to 5 pm) and happy hour (5.30 pm to 7.30 pm), along with complimentary garment pressing, late checkout until 2 pm subject to availability, high-speed internet, and an hour’s use of the executive boardroom.

Dining

Breakfast in the lounge was a more personal affair than the main restaurant, with just a handful of guests enjoying the panoramic views. The selection balanced Chinese dishes (cabbage with mushrooms, sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves, local yoghurt, aiwowo cakes, pork dumplings) with a full Western buffet and a la carte hot dishes.

Afternoon Tea brought French macarons and petit fours alongside Chinese teas.

Cocktail hour offered wines and spirits with both Chinese appetisers (tempura shrimp, stir-fried vegetables) and Western snacks. The atmosphere was peaceful, a mix of business and leisure travellers unwinding at the end of the day.

LU YU was our choice for dinner, named after China’s Sage of Tea. The interior is dramatic, with a double-height space decorated with varieties of Chinese tea and, at its centre, a gold tree dressed with paper wishes. Small details signal the restaurant’s attention to tradition. Red chopsticks indicate you are the host; your guests receive menus without prices. We ordered stir-fried vegetables, dumplings and dishes from the broader Asian menu, including sushi. The friendly sommelier recommended a Chinese Cabernet Sauvignon from Puchang Vineyard, our first experience of Chinese wine and something of a revelation. Lu Yu also serves Peking Duck with full tableside presentation.

Chapter, the hotel’s all-day restaurant, occupies a striking space reminiscent of an antique European library, with a grand staircase, shelves lined with books, and sunlight streaming through tall windows. The breakfast buffet is comprehensive, offering both Western dishes and Chinese staples.

29 Grill, for steaks and seafood.

Lobby Lounge for light bites and afternoon tea.

Wellness

The pool and fitness centre, located in the basement, are impressive and immaculately maintained. We did not use the spa but noted its five treatment rooms and menu of massages and facials inspired by traditional Chinese medicine.

Service throughout was warm and professional. Check-in was handled by a young man who spoke excellent English and escorted us to the suite to explain everything. We found the Chinese to be genuinely hospitable, and the Conrad team exemplified this.

City Sights

Beijing is not a particularly walkable city. The urban layout follows a series of concentric ring roads, and distances can be deceiving, as in a sprawling city of 22,000,000 people, one can lose a sense of scale. Taxis are essential, and we recommend hiring a driver for excursions, as we did with our private visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Over three nights, we explored the outstanding Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple, the Drum Tower, and the historic hutongs around Qianmen Street with their narrow alleys and traditional courtyard homes. Beijing is a captivating capital city to explore – and we felt safe, and welcome throughout. Remember to carry your passport with you, as you need to reserve and enter the main sights such Tiananmen Square etc.

We visited in November, just as the Christmas decorations began to appear. The trees were golden, the skies clear and blue, and Beijing revealed itself as a city far more welcoming and clean than perceived wisdom might suggest. The city feel extremely advanced with its ancient sights immersed in a high-tech. sophisticated city. Our stay at the Conrad Beijing definitely whet our appetite for China, a country I now want to get to know a lot better.

The Conrad Beijing suits both business travellers seeking a well-located base near the CBD and leisure visitors wanting comfortable accommodation with genuine five-star facilities. The executive lounge access makes a real difference to the experience, and the dining options, from the refined Lu Yu to the European-style 29 Grill.

This property is featured in our guide to the best luxury hotels in Beijing