LISTINGS - The Rough Guide to Beijing - page 191

thanks to a recent refurbishment, this hotel was converted from the residence of a Qing of-
ficial, and today the courtyards and bamboo-filled gardens are by far its best features. The
more expensive suites boast period furniture, but the standard rooms are fine and pretty good
value, with gar den v iews. It's tucked into an alley in an agreeable part of the city, near Houhai
but still quiet. ￥ 680
Courtyard7 秦唐府客栈七号院 , qíntángfǔ kèzhàn qīhàoyuàn 7 Qiangulouyuan Hutong
010 64060777, courtyard7.com ; Nanluoguxiang subway (line 6); map . Rooms in this
courtyard hotel off Nanluogu Xiang might be on the small side, but it more than makes up
for it with a peaceful ambience and good location. It's single storey so all the rooms face the
courtyard, and elegantly furnished throughout, with fo ur-poster beds and colourful tiled bath-
rooms. Ask about discounts from the rack rate. ￥ 1200
Guxiang 20 古巷 20 号商务会 , gǔxiàng èrshí hào shāngwùhuì 20 Nanluogu Xiang 010
64005566, bjgx20.com ; Nanluoguxiang subway (line 6); map . Slick hotel well located
right in the nightlife area of Nanluogu Xiang. It's done out in that discreet, orientalist style
perennially popular in restaurants - dark, red and minimal. The best doubles have four-poster
beds and there's a tennis court on the roof too. It seems aimed at young locals, and not much
Englis h is s poken. Doesn't maintain much presence on the street, bar the Starbucks in the
foyer. ￥ 580
TheOrchid 65 Baochao Hutong 010 84044818, theorchidbeijing.com ; Nanluoguxi-
ang subway (line 6); map . Located on newly trendy Baochao Hutong, this new boutique hotel
is up there with the best value places to stay in the whole city. Its rooms, arranged around a
delightful, bamboo-filled courtyard, are simply decorated but absolutely delightful, as is the
breakfast on offer. The rooftop area offers superlative sunse t view s, and staff will encourage
you to drink one of their delicious house cocktails up there. ￥ 700
EAST OF THE CENTRE
WANGFUJING
Beijing 北京饭店 , běijīng fàndiàn 33 Dongchang'an Jie 010 65137766, chinabeijing-
hotel.com.cn ; Wangfujing subway (line 1); map . One of the most recognizable buildings in
Beijing, this mansion block just east of Tian'anmen Square was built in 1900. The view over
the Forbidden City from the top floors of the west wing is superb (after the addition of a new
wing in 1974, an office block had to be constructed nearby so that top-floor guests couldn't
see into Zhongnanhai). Unfortunately, the hotel rested on its laurels for decades, though re-
cent renovations to rooms and common areas have seen it catch up with the competition.
￥ 880
Cote Cour 演东酒店 , yăndōng jiŭdiàn 70 Yanyue Hutong 010 65237981, hotelcote-
courbj.com ; Dongsi (lines 5 & 6) or Dengshikou subway (line 5); map . This fourteen-room
courtyard-style boutique hotel is bang in the middle of the city but located in a quiet hutong .