Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
petite, but the decor in some of them is exquisite and there's plenty of space to
relax in the courtyard.
THE EMPEROR $$
( Huangjia Yizhan Jiudian; 6526 5566;
www.theemperor.com.cn
;
33 Qihel-
ou Jie, off Beichizi Dajie; 33 r from ¥1000; Dengshikou; )
At-
tempting to capitalise on a majestic position just east of the Forbidden City, the
Emperor's lofty ambitions were undermined by height restrictions, so upper-
floor rooms merely graze the rooftops of the imperial palace. Nonetheless you
can't question the excellent
feng shui
this locale brings. The un-numbered
rooms are named after emperors and come with funky, albeit slightly weird fit-
ted furniture with lots of smooth curves and strange cubbyholes. It's quirky, but
cool and the views from the
rooftop bar
are simply imperial.
Boutique Hotel
PARK PLAZA $$
( Beijing Liting Jiudian; 8522 1999;
www.parkplaza.com/beijingcn
; 97 Jin-
bao Jie; 97 d from ¥900; Dengshikou; )
A good-value riposte to
the overblown top-flight hotels in the area (see the gaudy Legendale across
the road for what
not
to do), the Park Plaza is a treasured find. If you can't or
don't want to stretch to a five-star hotel, this friendly place has a good location
and a comfortable, modern and well-presented four-star finish.
Hotel
Escape To The Great Wall
As well as the usual accommodation options in this Great Wall section the following
luxury digs offer some exclusivity beside more remote parts of China's best-known
icon.
Commune by the Great Wall
( Changcheng Jiaoxia de Gongshe; 8118 1888;
www.communebythegreatwall.com
;
r from ¥2500; )
is seriously expens-
ive, but the cantilevered geometric architecture, location and superb panoramas are
simply standout. Positioned at the Shuiguan Great Wall, off the Badaling Hwy, the
