Beijing's Waldorf Astoria, A Sumptuous Addition

BY TRee TAM, INDOCHINA TRAVEL
The Waldorf Astoria Beijing, opened March 1, 2014 adds a sumptuous 176-room addition to the handful of Beijing luxury hotels. With an exceptional location in the heart of downtown Beijing, next to Wang Fu Jing, the famous high-end walking shopping district, across from the Peninsula Hotel, walking distance of Tiananmen Square, and just two blocks west of the Forbidden City. Nearby is also a 700-year-old hutong neighbourhood.

The Waldorf Astoria Beijing features impressive architectural design by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. Diverging from the Waldorf's typical, classical styles, their Beijing property boasts a contemporary exterior featured with bronze - the royal material which expresses the luxury, dignity, and legend of the Waldorf brand, and reflects the character of the site location. The bronze will oxidize over time, changing the patina of the metal.

The super frame, connecting the roof and anchoring building corners successfully, recalls the symmetry and steady character of Chinese traditional architecture. The carefully detailed bay window with large floor to ceiling glazing provides the best city view for each guest room, and creates the unique window room area with featured window screen for guest to enjoy the special living experience in Beijing. Orientation particular shading frame system not only establishes the special exterior look for hotel, but also protects the building and minimizes the solar heat gain from all directions to make it a cultural but sustainable building.

Interior Design
The Waldorf's interiors are understated elegance, featuring traditional Chinese motifs created by the New York-based design duo Yabu Pushelberg who have also done work for the W hotels and Barneys, and includes vivid silk-paneled walls that are hand painted and embroidered, intricate patterned rugs, and classical wood furniture. Contemporary Chinese art lines the walls and rooms.

Rooms

DOUBLE DOUBLE PREMIER ROOM
This elegant and spacious Double Premier Room, from 52-60 square meters, has two double beds, a 50-inch HDTV at the sofa area and a 46-inch HDTV which you can enjoy from the comfort of your bed. The modern bathroom is complete with special touches, fluffy bathrobe, slippers and exquisite amenities.

KING DELUXE ROOM
Luxuriate in spacious and superbly appointed Kind Deluxe Room, from 39-45 square meters, and featuring a plush pillow-top king-sized bed dressed with fine linens, expansive work area, HDTV, alarm clock with CD and MP3 player, a lavish bath with twin vanity and exquisite amenities. Enjoy the convenience of complimentary WiFi, coffee and tea facilities, also a selection of pillows for extra comfort and restful sleep.

KING PREMIER ROOM
Elegantly and thoughtfully designed to provide the warmth of home, the 52-60 square meter King Premier Room is where you can enjoy a movie from the 46-inch HDTV in the comfort of the grand king-sized bed or from the 50-inch HDTV in the work and lounge area. The room also features a modern bathroom complete with special touches, fluffy bathrobe, slippers and exquisite amenities.

KING DELUXE SUITE
70 square meters of luxurious comfort await you in our King Deluxe Suite, featuring contemporary decor with floor-to-ceiling windows for ample sunlight. This suite features a separate living room for relaxation and entertainment. The master bedroom offers a king-sized bed with fine linens, another LCD TV, a lavish ensuite bath with pampering amenities.

KING PREMIER SUITE
The 95-116 square meter King Premier Suite offers an artful balance of grand residential living space and work space with complimentary WiFi. For private evenings, enjoy in-room dining at the comfort of the living room. The beautifully appointed bedroom has a king-sized bed and a lavish bath with exquisite amenities.

KING PREMIER TERRACE SUITE
Absolute privacy and sumptuous luxury are the mainstays for our 138-178 square meter King Premier Terrace Suite, which is comprised of a living room that opens into spacious step-out balconies for making the most of the beautiful surrounds, the bedroom featuring a king-sized bed, a dressing area, a lavish bath with exquisite amenities, opulent robes, slippers and abundant fresh white towels.

AMBASSADOR SUITE
A one bedroom suite with a separate study, the 160 square meter Ambassador Suite features a dining area for eight guests and a spacious lounge with HDTV, elite music system, a sumptuously stocked mini bar with premium beverages, deli snacks, wine and champagne. The perfect setting for an exclusive dining experience.

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
Magnificently appointed where lavish details abound at every turn, from luggage unpacking service to personalized meal planning with the Executive Chef. The Presidential Suite features a private lounge, entertainment area with every conceivable feature of luxurious style, separate dining room for 10 guests, and a fully equipped kitchen. The grand master bedroom consists of a walk-in closet, palatial bath with Courtyard and Hutong views.

HUTONG COMPLEXES
Hutong complexes are the Waldorf Astoria Beijing’s unique accommodations. Coming at the end of 2014 are five hutong accommodation units, separate from the hotel, which have been constructed to original specifications. Hutongs are traditional Chinese urban residences with shared courtyards and alleys. Beijing used to renowned for these dwellings, but they are disappearing with the modern development. The Waldorf Astoria’s hutong complexes will pay tribute to this piece of Chinese history. The company consulted a Peking University professor during the hotel’s construction to ensure an accurate representation of Beijing’s famous hutongs, though modern décor was used to furnish the interior. The complexes will also include four suites, a Hutong Deluxe room, and a two-storey presidential suite.

These will have private underground parking and entrance, allowing for a discreet entry, as well as garden courtyards. The two-storey Hutong Presidential Villa also has a private courtyard, swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna. Below the hutong accommodations will be a meeting and entertainment space, including a 16-seat cinema and a sunken lounge bar.

DELUXE HUTONG ROOM
Located in a separate wing housed on the 2nd level of a Hutong Villa, the 67 square meter Deluxe Hutong Room is artfully restored and refurnished with a private entrance. It features separate living and working spaces, fitted with multimedia and WiFi, and a lavish bath complete with amenities.

HUTONG STUDIO
For a gentle experience, the 100 square meter Hutong Studio is in a separate wing housed in a Hutong Villa. Adopting an open plan, it has a tastefully designed bedroom, which blends traditional elements with contemporary features, an LCD TV, CD, DVD and WiFi. A perfect choice for business or leisure.

HUTONG TERRACE STUDIO
The 121 square meter Hutong Terrace Studio is housed in a lovingly restored and renovated Hutong Villa located in a separate wing within the garden courtyard. It features a private terrace and the bedroom is luxuriously decorated.

WALDORF HUTONG VILLA
For greater privacy, the 566 square meter Waldof Hutong Villa Suite is a statement of uncompromised refinement. The palatial suite houses two separate bedrooms, a grand terrace, a private swimming pool, an entertainment area with digital music library and elite surround sound music system, a living room with separate dining room for 12 guests and a gourmet kitchen.

Premier Twin-Room

Premier King Room

Deluxe Suite

Suite Lounge

Hutong Villa

Located in a separate wing housed on the 2nd level of a Hutong Villa, the 67 square meter Deluxe Hutong Room is artfully restored and refurnished with a private entrance. It features separate living and working spaces, fitted with multimedia and WiFi, and a lavish bath complete with amenities.

Amenities
Rounding out services and amenities at the Beijing Waldorf are a spa and fitness center with a heated indoor swimming pool. AppleTV ports, Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries, and Samsung tablets for room controllers. The The hotel will also have a Western restaurant, Brassiere 1893, as well as a Chinese restaurant and a Peacock Alley bar (another Waldorf standard.) But our favorite service is the in-room boutique which will sell small items, typically gifts to present at business meetings, special events or dinners. Here's a hand-made parasol that will be for sale, with the Waldorf Astoria Beijing written in both English and Chinese.

Poynder says the Waldorf is also working on a personalized concierge service which will have hotel employees--not just the concierge--share with guests their favorite places and things to do in the city. Rates for the hotel start at around $362US for a King Deluxe room on opening night. The specialty suites behind the main tower and designed in the fashion of the old hutongs will open in about six months.

Dining

Brasserie 1893
Based on the Waldorf Astoria New York's brasserie, this elegant venue was inspired by Oscar Tschirky, who defined the concept of epicurean public dining whilst maître d' at the Waldorf Astoria New York in 1896. Brasserie 1893 features an impressive show kitchen, allowing diners to appreciate the sights and delicious aromas of the dishes being prepared by our skilled chefs. Extensive buffet and à la carte breakfast options are available in this opulent brasserie, with a tempting à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Brasserie 1893 features a main dining room, which seats 90 and an exclusive Chef's Table, offering a distinctive dining experience for 8 guests.

Zijin Mansion
Savor the finest Cantonese Cuisine and a variety of tempting Beijing specialties in our luxurious Zijn Mansion. Choose to dine in the elegant main restaurant area or book one of five private dining rooms for an intimate meal, business lunch or a celebration for up to 24 people.

Peacock Alley
Beautifully designed to create an ambience of modern luxury, our stylish lounge, Peacock Alley is the perfect place to refresh with a Waldorf Astoria signature dish and a pot of freshly brewed tea, or to unwind with a nightcap after a busy day.

For Families
An important to note the Waldorf Astoria does not have any inter-connecting rooms, you might consider other properties if you strictly require inter-connecting rooms.

Details
General Manager: Marlene Poynder
5-15 Jinyu Hutong Wangfujing, Dongcheng District Beijing, Beijing 100006
Tel: 86-010-85208989 Fax: 86-010-85208990
Airport Distance From Hotel: 27 km. Drive Time: 50 min.