Glass stays at the Rosewood, Beijing

THE perfect balance between the traditional and the modern – that would be the most suitable description of the Rosewood Beijing a newly opened 22-storey hotel, and you can encounter this symbiosis in every detail and on every step you take as you make your way through the hotel. It’s a journey of exploration from the moment you set foot into this peaceful oasis from the bustling streets of Beijing. As each Rosewood hotel is one-of-a-kind, so is the experience you enjoy from your visit.

The front view of Rosewood Beijing with The Sons of Dragon (Jiao Tu) sculptures

Upon entering this monumental, irregularly-shaped building made of Mongolian bluestone, a material chosen to resemble a mountain wall, you are welcomed by two enormous sculptures of Jiao Tu, also known as The Sons of the Dragon, guarding the gates leading to a foliage-filled courtyard – a homage to Chinese culture and history. Gorgeous gardens were always private places of peace, for those who could afford them, and hidden away, and a stone wall around the hotel solidifies the sense of retreat.

The Rosewood Beijing lobby with a Calligraphic Head Sculpture

The hotel is set in the centre of Beijing’s Central Business District Chaoyang, and the 283 rooms enjoy great views of the triumphs of Beijing’s recent past such as the CCTV tower. Often wrongly construed to be a surveillance headquarters, CCTV in fact stands for China Central Television, and the tower, recognised as the symbol of the city, is located right opposite the hotel. There are beautiful views of it from many of the suites and areas including two of the restaurants, Country Kitchen and Bistrot B, proclaiming the devotion of the hotel to truly reflecting the culture of its city.

A bedroom at the Rosewood Beijing

Rosewood Beijing Lounge bar

The hotel’s opening in October 2014 marked the first Rosewood property in China, the firm already having 19 other luxury hotels in ten countries. The fundamental aim of Rosewood is for each of its hotels to reflect the local culture, and to refrain from creating a standardised model to roll out across the globe. The only thing they all have in common is the tribute they pay to the city in which they are set, through the design, decor, customs, culinary experience in the restaurants, the art on the walls and the spa retreats. The Rosewood Beijing spa is the first of its kind in Asia – with five suites with balconies for overnight stays.

A Rosewood Beijing guestroom

The design and overall aesthetic of Rosewood Beijing is refined and minimal, acting as a simple backdrop to the classic and contemporary objets d’art and decorative traditional objects placed in every guestroom (along with books about Chinese customs and art). The artists whose works are shown are mostly Beijing-based, and include sculptor and installation artist Song Jianshu, calligrapher and painter and poet Li Yongfei, and Jiang Shanchun, an artist who uses a variety of different styles and techniques and whose works are part of a permanent exhibition at the National Art Museum of China.

Art objects in a room at the Rosewood

Every piece of art, be it a large mountainscape inspired by the traditional shan shui landscape painting or a watercolour portrait, is placed deliberately to tell a story and carry you through your journey – curated with the precision of a fine art gallery.

Rosewood Beijing swimming pool

The story of Rosewood Beijing continues with the culinary experience. The hotel houses six restaurants and lounges in total and each offers not only different cuisine but also a different kind of experience. At The House of Dynasties you will find centuries-old Cantonese and Imperial dishes served with a new spin, and over 30 kinds of tea, with a tea master on hand to help you with the choices.

The Country Kitchen restaurant

Country Kitchen, on the other hand, takes inspiration from a rustic Chinese village, and its speciality is traditional Northern Chinese cuisine, known for its saltier flavours and wide range of cooking techniques. The restaurant’s buzzing atmosphere is complemented by an open bar and kitchen where the noodle master chef produces hand-cut, hand-pulled noodles – true dedication to the art of perfection.

by Sara Hesikova