The PuXuan Hotel and Spa
Beijing’s PuXuan Hotel and Spa, sitting mere steps from the Forbidden City, earns as many rave reviews for its outside appearance as it does for all its interior splendor. The building’s traffic-halting cube shape was renowned German architect Ole Scheeren’s conception. Its glass façade resembling brick walls is an homage to traditional hutongs found around the city. The juxtaposition of customary styles and contemporary execution makes the structure popular with design buffs and curious passersby.
Hotel addicts rave just as much about everything inside. The 116 rooms are sleek, soothing examples of minimalism having a major impact. Two lauded restaurants and an onsite tea sanctuary entice discerning foodies. A club is filled with more perks than even a well-traveled guest may know what to do with. Keeping with the hotel’s subtle theme, a two-level spa helps you find your glow — on the inside and out.
- While pricier room types may come with more square footage or airport limousine transfers, the Grand Room and Grand Deluxe are stellar choices in their own right because of glass-framed views of old Beijing neighborhoods and Forbidden City rooftops.
- The principle of “hostmanship” is something that freely flows through PuXuan and its Shanghai sister property, PuLi Hotel and Spa. The idea essentially translates to consistent, intuitive service and the assurance that basic perks such as breakfast, laundry service and a stocked minibar are complimentary for all guests.
- PuXuan Club is an exclusive, full-service lounge on the eighth floor that consists of a library, outdoor spaces, a kitchen and a dining room.
- All-day eatery Rive Gauche is PuXuan’s take on a French restaurant — down to the burgundy snails, foie-gras-stuffed chicken and assorted cheeses on the menu. Fu Chun Ju, on the other hand, readies braised fish head soup, pan-fried prawns and other traditional Cantonese dishes.
- Ur Spa understands that modern science and ancient healing can work in tandem. Its roster of services, from innovative collagen treatments to body rituals that alter by the time of day in which they’re performed, speaks to the importance of both.
- PuXuan sits atop the Guardian Art Center, a prestigious Beijing auction house. Being that close to creatives, it makes sense that much of the hotel’s art was curated by the center. And yes, in-room safes are even intentionally larger, in case you need somewhere to store the piece you just outbid everyone else on.
- Steeping and pouring are art at the Tea Room. You will not only find splendid cups of Longjing here but, if you’d like, you can submerge into the history and science behind the sips by sampling in the tea lab or purchasing from the retail space.
- Because of the hotel’s central Beijing location, sights such as the Forbidden City and the National Art Museum of China can be reached on your own with ease. However, if you want a more informed look at the nearby attractions, PuXuan curates elaborate jaunts that include helicopter rides over the Great Wall of China or nighttime street food tours.
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