No surprises here, we're in the foggy, fast-growing commercial district of Chongwenmen, in the heart of historic Beijing and only a 20-minute stroll from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. If you can't be bothered with all that walking about, the New World Beijing, part of the Hong Kong-based Rosewood Hotel Group, is located next to the Wangfujing shopping district and holds the distinction of being the closest deluxe business hotel to the Temple of Heaven. So put down that smartphone, swing your leg over one of the hotel's complimentary bicycles and you'll be knocking on [the Temple of] Heaven's door before you can say, "Guns N' Roses ruined that song".
From the outside, this five-star, 309-room hotel is rather unassuming but, inside, there's a tranquil, modern feel throughout. Muted woods and the earthy tones of natural slate and stone add to a cool and relaxed ambience enhanced by subtle modern art and classic Asian furniture. Contemporary Oriental, if you will.
Of course. For the best, head up to the rooftop bar, Yin on 12 (above), and enjoy breathtaking vistas of the city with a glass of bubbly, or a Cao Expensive - the bar's signature glittery golden sun-downer - in hand. With DJs and live music most evenings, Yin on 12 also has the largest outdoor terrace (top) among all the luxury hotels in Beijing, with one side oozing an elegant, loungey vibe, the other being a more comfortable beer garden/barbecue hang out (complete with wafts of sizzling meat). Comfy sofas abound and there are giant outdoor fireplaces for when the weather brings a chill to the chilling out.
Breathe easy, my friend; indoors, there's a whole floor dedicated to fitness and beauty, a gym with enough machines and heavy things to keep your average iron man happy, a luxurious pea-green indoor pool and jacuzzi, and a health spa with five private treatment rooms in which to ease those aching muscles and unclog those pores after a day's sightseeing.