THE HOTEL: In the heart of the Central Business District (CBD) at China World Trade Centre, this 278-room hotel opened in August 2010 and is one of six Shangri-La hotels in China’s capital. It’s around 45 minutes/one hour away from the international airport with hotel limousine transfer costing from £85 and a taxi £10/£15, both one way. An airport train connects with the city’s subway system and the journey to Guomao – just a short walk from the NE exit to the hotel – takes about 45 minutes and costs under £3.

The check-in: A choice of three options; the ground floor, the 64th floor (the hotel occupies floors 64 to 81) or in-room if the hotel knows the time of arrival. They knew mine so I was escorted to my room by a traditionally dressed girl who swiftly completed the formalities, showed me the room facilities and left with my passport for registration.  It was back within minutes.

The room: The hotel has six categories of room from 55 sq m upwards (averaging 65 sq m). Mine was a corner Grand Premier Room (75 sq m) and was spacious and opulent with three sets of floor to ceiling windows overlooking the skyscrapers of the CBD. The room offers classic décor with subtle Chinese touches including a wall mural behind the bed. Beautifully furnished, the room offers all the facilities expected of a luxury hotel including a 40-inch TV screen – plus another TV screen in the bathroom mirror – Nespresso machine, DVD player and iPod docking station. There’s also a large bathroom and storage/wardrobe area.

The business: There is free broadband and wi-fi Internet access throughout the hotel and the console by the room’s large desk houses every socket known to man – some 13 in all including a three-pin mains socket. The hotel has a small business centre with two computers and a small meeting room.  There are 12 function rooms in total, a 95-seat auditorium and Beijing’s largest pillar-free ballroom in a luxury hotel, the Summit.

The facilities: The hotel boasts the city’s highest dining venues; Grill 79 on the 79th floor, The Lounge and Atmosphere Bar on the 80th.  There is also Cantonese Chinese cuisine in Fook Lam Moon, Nadaman for Japanese food and soon to open, Songkran for Thai food.  Other facilities include a 24-hour gym, indoor infinity pool on the 78th floor and, beneath the hotel the China World Mall which offers extensive shopping.  Sister Shangri-La properties China World, Traders and Kerry Centre are all linked by indoor walkways and footbridges.

THE VERDICT: An outstanding example of the de luxe Shangri-La product which provides the standard of accommodation and level of service expected by senior international travellers. An unprompted comment from an American travel agent declared it ‘an exceptional hotel, the best she’d ever stayed in’.

THE DETAILS: Room rates are from approximately £217 per night for an entry level Executive Room including breakfast, tax and service.  A Grand Premier Room is from £282. The hotel is at No. 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing 100004, China. Tel: (86 21) 6505 5556 www.shangri-la.com  Telephone booking on 0800 028 337.
Alan Orbell

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