Grand Hyatt Beijing

Beijing is changing fast, shedding its industrial skin and blossoming into one of the world’s most metropolitan metropolises. The Grand Hyatt reflects new Beijing’s sophistication, style and wealth. It’s located in the heart of city center by Wangfujing Street, a popular shopping area. Shoppers can also gawk at the two-mile-long mall underneath the hotel. Many of the city’s top tourist attractions are within walking distance as well.

The Grand Hyatt intentionally chose a decorator who doesn’t do hotels so that each room would feel more like a home than a hotel. In fact, most of the suites are located in the wing of the building which was formerly an apartment complex, meaning that they come with separate kitchenettes and an extra half bath. A complimentary basket of fresh fruit is another nice touch. The design is understated, contemporary and geared toward Western tastes. FYI: Condoleeza Rice and George Clooney both request the Diplomatic suite.

There are seven places to eat inside the hotel, including Cantonese and Italian restaurants, and a patisserie. The cleverly named Made in China, however, is the jewel in the Grand Hyatt’s crown. The award-winning and incredibly popular—among Chinese, ex-pats, and travelers alike—restaurant focuses on classic northern Chinese dishes. You might know Beijing duck as “Peking duck” but the slowly rendered skin will melt in your mouth just the same. The animals come from the restaurant’s own duck farm 45 minutes outside of the city and only 40 are served per night, so order in advance.

Sit down before you read this: The Grand Hyatt Beijing can plan weddings on the Great Wall. No, your blissful moment won’t be visible from space but it’s guaranteed to be one your friends and family will never forget. However, if you don’t want to be upstaged by a wonder of the world, the hotel’s Grand Ballroom is also a nice option. The room has a built-in stage and a large foyer area for pre-event cocktails; the Hyatt chefs will help you plan either a set or buffet menu.

A standard romance package is on offer here—bottle of sparkling wine, breakfast in bed and late check-out—but the property has several amorous spots available to anyone feeling passionate. The beautiful, dimly lit, and intimate RedMoon lounge is the perfect place to sit a little too close. (After dinner hours, musicians play Western music on classical Chinese instruments.) “Beautiful, dimly lit, and intimate” also describe the subterranean hotel pool, which is dotted with hot tubs, waterfalls, and palm trees. Lie back in a nook and gaze at the ceiling painted to look like a starry night.

After you’ve finished swimming in the pool and lounging in its hot tubs, fall asleep together in comfy padded poolside chairs while therapists from the Pure Spa administer relaxing foot massages. Experience a massage, scrub or facial solo inside any of the Pure spa’s single-occupancy treatment rooms; therapists specialize in Eastern techniques and utilize a variety of local essential oils and tinctures. The hotel also features a gym, and the concierge can arrange for guests to visit one of the golf courses just outside of Beijing.

Famous Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, where emperors lived with their concubines for hundreds of years, are a short, scenic walk away. If you want to explore restaurants, bars, and clubs beyond the hotel walls, you’ll need a cab, which are cheap, to take you to the neighboring Chaoyang area. Force yourself to spend one night actually sleeping, so you’ll have energy to hike the Great Wall. Although it’s a couple hours drive, the hotel can arrange the trip for you and no stay in Beijing is complete without a visit.

The hotel is part of a larger complex, making the entrance difficult to locate from the street. Although taxi drivers are familiar with the property, finding the address by foot can be confusing—even after you’ve already been staying there. Also, for a hotel located in such a booming metropolis, it’s a shame that wi-fi services aren’t free.

Big cities aren’t the places to “rough it”—especially for honeymooners. Five-star hotels are much more reasonably priced in China anyway, and the Grand Hyatt Beijing offers a lot for your investment, in a hip, sophisticated environment. The location is amenable to sightseeing. At night, I enjoyed being able to dine at Made in China before going out on the town, and then returning for a nightcap at RedMoon before hitting the hay or, perhaps in your case, the sheets.

Grand Hyatt Beijing
1 East Chang An Avenue
Beijing, People's Republic of China 100738
Tel: 86 10 8518 1234

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As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.