If you’re a nostalgic soul that happens to find itself in the Chinese capital, close to the airport, might we add, then there’s no better place for you than Kempinski Hotel Beijing. Conveniently located at Lufthansa Center, in the busy yet quaint embassy district, it is the ideal 90’s style gateway into the glaringly urbane metropolis, with a subway station just outside its premises. There are also, of course, Limousine transfers, if you will.
Ensconced within gardens and enhanced by water features, Kempinski Hotel Beijing assumes the role of a tranquil escape of sorts and houses 526 guestrooms. Its long-established European heritage forms a symbiosis with elements of Beijing’s rich traditions. In a nod to the hotel’s overall classical appearance, the lobby is naturally lit, and the front desk staff is efficient. It seems to be quite popular with Westerners, especially Germans.
Between its luxury rooms, which include 40 suites and a whopping four executive floors, our room was a Deluxe. The hotel has recently completed 22 years, and the accommodations have not been renovated since. So, like a time machine, the living room and the bathroom took us right into the mid ’90s, with furniture and the amenities looking a bit old but functioning well irrespective, the only thing connecting it to the present day being views over Beijing.
Eateries here are great in number and diversity, both. Seven in all, they offer you a choice between Cantonese cooking (Dragon Palace), traditional Japanese cuisine (Honzen), award-winning pastries and delicatessen (Kempi Deli), and more. Breakfast at Kranzler restaurant was a buffet, brilliant and continental, while Paulaner Bräuhaus could instantly transport one to a pub in Berlin or Munich.
Kempinski’s home to Pulse Health Club, which boasts not one but two fully equipped gymnasiums! Guests have access to state-of-the-art Technology, saunas, and steam rooms (the skyline of Beijing, too in the case of one) and can indulge in Jacuzzi, solarium, professional massage et al. The highlight, however, remains the award-winning indoor squash court, a rarity in city hotels and, in this case, the appointed venue of the 2009-2013 China Squash Association.
Verdict
The service is top-notch, the hotel has a ton of dining options, it has one of the best locations. All of this makes it highly recommended for business travelers. But the only major drawback remains that the rooms are in desperate need of renovation. If you can move past that, though, you’d appreciate the authentic oriental décor. Or find that the concierge desk is very helpful; their patient guidance led us along the long trip to the historic Great Wall.
Address:
Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center,
50 Liangmaqiao Road,
100125 Beijing,
Tel No: +86 10 6465 3388
[Kempinski-Beijing-Lufthansa-Center]
