The frosted-glass windows and leather walls at the Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street may seem strikingly modern, but the concept behind this newly opened property is ancient. Designed according to the principles of feng shui (the Chinese art of placement), the glass-and-chrome hotel features a high-ceilinged lobby built to resemble a traditional Chinese courtyard, with precisely arranged trees and flowers that flourish in natural sunlight. Ginger-lily essence wafts throughout the lobby, and clouds (considered good luck in Chinese society) are embossed on the polished metal doors of the elevators. Accommodations The 253 rooms include the 2,740-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Suite, which offers views of the nearby White Pagoda Temple. A technology butler is on call to assist guests with the Accommodations’ touch-control technology, DVD/CD players, and LCD televisions. Facilities The 15,000-square-foot fitness center and spa features a heated indoor lap pool, plunge pools, steam and sauna rooms, and 11 treatment rooms. The hotel also houses a hair salon, a ballroom, a 24-hour business center, and meeting rooms. Dining Ground-level Italian restaurant, Cepe, features floor-to-ceiling views of the financial district and park. For guests who crave local fare, Qi showcases seven distinct Chinese cuisines, including Sichuan, Cantonese, and Shandong. But for a true sense of place, do as Beijing’s billionaires do and book one of the Ritz-Carlton’s seven private Dining rooms for a catered Chinese feast. Concierge Recommends Take a predawn trip to the Temple of Heaven and join the locals as they greet the day with tai chi, badminton, kite flying, and song and dance. During warmer months, expect to see people walking with their caged birds in tow. Rates From $550 for a deluxe room to $5,660 for the Ritz-Carlton Suite.
