Hotel Information: Revolving doors lead to a lobby of checkered marble floors and scattered Oriental rugs; a high, vaulted ceiling is hung with chandeliers. The compact reception desk lies to the right, manned by staff in white uniforms, who greet guests that include business travelers, foreign dignitaries, and holidaymakers. A long corridor-like area is lined with up-market shops and leads to restaurants and bars. Ornate gilt tables display fresh flowers, while palms in large Chinese pots line the walls. A stairway sweeps upwards, where it divides in two. Behind this, a high atrium of glass, with cascading water, provides a striking contrast to the Colonial style of the main building, and acts as a segue to the contemporary rear block of the hotel.

Insider tip: Raffles Beijing Hotel occupies the site of the former Grand Hotel, opened in 1917 and once a famous venue for diplomats, debutantes, and celebrities such as Sun Yat Sen (republican China’s founding president) and Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. Former Chinese Premier Deng Xiaoping penned the calligraphy in the hotel’s name; it is still used in the Raffles logo.

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Rooms

Landmark guestrooms are located in the Colonial building (known as Block B), while Raffles Inc. executive rooms occupy a modern building to the rear (Block E). All have desks with lamps, stationery sets, and complimentary wireless Internet access. Flat-screen cable/satellite TVs offer over 60 channels, mostly in Chinese but including CNN, Star Sports, ESPN, HBO, and NHC. Guests also have complimentary use of CD and DVD players on request. Bathrooms, which have separate tubs and showers, also have bidets and double sinks. Bathroom scales, hair dryers, and makeup mirrors are provided. Welcome amenities include fruit and cookies, with chocolate delivered at turndown. A guestroom valet service provides complimentary clothes brushing, shoeshine, and ironing.

Room Amenities

• Internet access - wireless
• Premium TV channel(s)
• Cable/satellite TV
• Complimentary newspaper
• Air conditioning
• Climate control
• Blackout drapes/curtains
• Internet access - complimentary
• Voice mail
• Direct-dial phone
• Bottled water in room (complimentary)
• Refrigerator
• Minibar
• Coffee/tea maker
• Remote lighting/drapery/curtain control
• Wake-up calls
• Housekeeping
• Turndown service
• Bathroom telephone

• Bathrobes
• Complimentary toiletries
• Hair dryer
• Bathroom scale
• Makeup mirror
• Sewing kit
• Slippers
• Separate bathtub and shower
• Extra towels/bedding in room
• Handheld shower
• Bidet
• Child care (in room, surcharge)
• Electronic/magnetic keys
• Television - Satellite service
• In-room safe (accommodates laptop)
• Iron/ironing board (on request)
• Welcome amenities
• Desk
• Cribs (infant beds) available
• Smoking rooms

Recreation

The Raffles Beijing Hotel has an indoor swimming pool with adjacent spa tub set under a glass ceiling. Guests are offered a complimentary mobile/cell phone while poolside. A 24-hour fitness center contains a full range of equipment, including cycle machines with individual TV screens.

Recreational opportunities in the city include tennis in the Dongdan district approximately 2 km (1.3 miles) from the hotel, and ice skating at the World Trade Centre 4 km (3 miles) away. Beihai Park, adjacent to the Forbidden City, contains open spaces and playgrounds suitable for children. The nearest golf course is Hua Tang, some 20 km (12.5 miles) from the city centre.

• Golfing nearby
• Ice skating nearby

• Swimming on site
• Tennis nearby
• Playground nearby

Property Amenities

The Raffles Beijing Hotel offers a variety of fine restaurant dining, as well as a library/drawing room with books, chess table, and flat-screen TV. An indoor swimming pool has adjacent spa tub, and there is a comprehensive, 24-hour fitness centre. Guestroom valet service includes complimentary clothes brushing, shoeshine, and ironing. On-site stores sell jewellery; tobacco and cigars; antiques; and fine Chinese embroideries. Guests can also use the restaurants of the adjacent Beijing Hotel, as well as an adjacent day spa, and charge costs to their guestroom account.

Valet parking:
Complimentary in a secure, open-air courtyard directly in front of the hotel.
Self parking:
Complimentary in a secure, open-air courtyard directly in front of the hotel.

Business centre: Located behind the front office and open 7 AM till 11 PM.

Internet access: Wireless and high-speed Internet access are complimentary for all guests.

Conference/function room(s): Le Salon Raffles in the hotel’s main building is 140 square metres (1,506 square feet) with an adjacent pre-function area of 94 square metres (1,011 square feet). It can hold up to 100 guests in theatre style, 42 in classroom style, or 60 for banquets. The basement of the heritage building has a further five meeting rooms ranging in size from 480 square metres (5,165 square feet) to 96 square metres (1,033 square feet), and catering theatre-style groups of 64 to 380 participants.

• 24-hour front desk
• Air-conditioned public areas
• Airport transportation (surcharge)
• Number of rooms: 171
• ATM/banking
• Audio-visual equipment
• Babysitting or child care
• Ballroom(s)
• Number of floors: 13
• Banquet facilities
• Bar/lounge
• Business services
• Cell phone/mobile rental
• Coffee shop or café
• Complimentary newspapers in lobby
• Computer rental
• Concierge desk
• Conference room(s)
• Currency exchange
• Doorman/doorwoman
• Dry cleaning service
• Elevator/lift
• Elevator/lift attendant
• Event catering
• Exhibit space
• Express check- in
• Express check-out

• Fireplace in lobby
• Fitness equipment
• Floor butler
• Gift shops or newsstand
• Internet access in public areas - complimentary
• Internet access - wireless
• Library
• Limo or Town Car service available
• Medical assistance available
• Meeting rooms (small groups)
• Multilingual staff
• Parking (free)
• Parking (secure)
• Parking (valet)
• Porter/bellhop
• Restaurant(s) in hotel
• Room service (24 hours)
• Secretarial services
• Security guard
• Shoe shine
• Shopping on site
• Spa tub
• Swimming pool - indoor
• Tour assistance
• Translation services
• Umbrella
• Wedding services

Policies

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Photo identification and credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.

• Pets not allowed
• Check-in time is 2 PM
• Check-out time is Noon

Location Details

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): Approximate travel time is 50 minutes and distance is 25 km (16 miles).

Getting there: A limousine service provided by Raffles Beijing Hotel will pick guests up at the airport. Travel by taxi is also very convenient, and there is an airport shuttle bus service. Rental cars are not recommended for travellers unfamiliar with this area.

Getting around: Public transport or taxi is both cheap and convenient. The Beijing metro system has three lines, many stopping at or near tourist and business destinations. Numbered stations and announcements in English make using the system relatively easy, and tickets cost CNY3–5 (less than US$1) depending on the destination. The closest stop to the Raffles Beijing Hotel is Wangfujing on Line 1, almost directly outside. Metred taxis are abundant and cheap, with flagfall costing CNY10 (US$1–$5) for the first three km, and CNY1.60 (US$0.20) for subsequent km. Rates vary slightly between taxi companies and rise by 30 percent late at night. Buses charge a flat fare of CNY1–2 (less than US$1), but are difficult to navigate without a knowledge of Chinese.

Bus details

Closest bus stop to the hotel: Chang’an Avenue, opposite Beijing Railway Station
Approximate travel time from the airport to the hotel: 70 minutes
Approximate cost (subject to change without notice): CNY16 (US$1–$5); subject to change without notice.

Schedule and directions (subject to change without notice): Two different bus companies operate shuttles from the airport into central Beijing along a variety of routes, some of which operate 24 hours a day. Of these, the Airport Shuttle Bus company’s Line A stops at Dongsi Shi Tiao metro station and the Beijing Railway Station, both a short taxi ride away from the Raffles Beijing Hotel.

Taxi details

Approximate travel time from the airport to the hotel: 45 minutes
Approximate cost (subject to change without notice): CNY100 (US$5–$15)

Instructions: Taxi stands at Beijing airport are located outside baggage claim. Travellers are advised to avoid the taxi touts and follow the signs to the taxi rank, where queues form along metal railings and a marshal controls proceedings. Marshals may be able to translate the hotel name, but it would be preferable to have it written in Chinese characters, or have the hotel already located on a bilingual map, since few taxi drivers speak English. Maps can be obtained from the tourist information desk inside the terminal building. The name Beijing Hotel, which is interconnected with the Raffles Beijing Hotel, will suffice if the Raffles name in English draws a blank.

Shuttle details

Travel time from the airport to the hotel: 45 minutes
Approximate cost (subject to change without notice): CNY480 (US$60–$65) per car

Schedules and directions (subject to change without notice): Car service is provided by Raffles Beijing Hotel; the driver stands, with guests’ names on a sign, just beyond the customs and baggage claim area. Hotel shuttle service is available 24 hours daily. However, guests must contact the hotel at least 48 hours prior in advance in order to give the staff an estimated time of arrival. Hotel contact details will be included in the reservation confirmation for bookings via this Web site.

Dining

La Vie - Lobby café serving afternoon tea and coffee, and light snacks, pastries, and cakes. Gilt chairs with red upholstery, fine wood tables, some sofas. Fireplace. Candles in the evening. Open daily from morning to late evening.

East 33 Restaurant - All-day buffet and à la carte dining. Informal. Mainly Italian and Chinese cuisines, with other international selections. Food stations with many dishes cooked on request. Located in modern glass atrium connecting hotel’s two blocks. Open daily from early morning to late evening.

Jaan Restaurant - À la carte lunch and dinner. New French and Mediterranean cuisine, with emphasis on seafood. Formal setting. Heritage room with high, vaulted ceiling. Chandeliers. Displays of fine wines in cabinets. Private room seats ten and has a formal, gilt décor. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Writer’s Bar - Cocktails, beverages, and afternoon teas. Bar snacks. Bar adjacent to Jaan Restaurant, separated by an original 1924 wooden dance floor. Old 1930s piano. High ceilings. Groups of leather armchairs and sofas. Bar with stools at one end. Displays of glass ornaments. Live three-piece band or traditional Chinese music each evening. Open daily from noon to late evening.

Awards And Affiliations

The hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.

Address

33 East Chang Avenue Block B, E

Beijing, 100004

China

Nearest major airport:

Beijing, China (PEK-Capital Intl.)

Area:

Chongwen, Beijing, China