I overnight at 40-50 hotels per year, and my two stays here (October 2015 and February 2016) have been my favorites of all. Right from the approach, you're greeted by magnificent art from the street through the entrance, lobby, floor foyers, and on into your room. The rooms are packed with high-tech features and thoughtful touches like none I've ever experienced--heated floors, cappuccino maker, heated toilet with integrated bidet, innovative lighting, office supplies, complimentary mini bar, electric shades, kitchen and cocktail essentials, and on and on. The rooms are designed with a level of care for the guest that you wouldn't believe...if you hadn't seen the rest of the premises.
The art collection is loosely themed by floors and includes over 30 Dali pieces, multi-million-dollar Warhols, the highest-end contemporary Asian pieces, magnificent hanging mobiles, industrial crossover art, antique furnishings, and even whimsical little areas with vintage toys. Our floor this time had a Dali bronze outside our door and a bicycle collection that must have been worth $200,000 or more.
For a real treat, ask for a tour; you're not allowed access to all the floors unless you do. This is to protect both the art pieces and the privacy of the guests, which routinely include celebs. Julian gave my wife and me a tour that was superior to any museum visit we made, owing to the intimacy with the collection that it afforded.
The staff's English is perfect, but more importantly, they behave with care, expert knowledge, personality, and an obvious dedication to serving guest desires--not just needs. Even the cleaning staff is selected and trained differently--and they need to be because of the uniqueness of the rooms and public areas. The desk arranged train tickets for us to Shanghai, and even drove to the station do purchase them on our behalf.
To boot, the included breakfast is a sumptuous spread, and the new (this year) bar will mix you one magnificent cocktail for free. And don't forget to wander, shop, and dine in the adjoining mall, where the art collection continues to spill throughout.
I won't mention what we paid for our room, but it was 1/4 the price of a suite at a high-end Hyatt or Ritz property, and twice as enjoyable. I have to imagine that this hotel is a labor of sheer pride and not profit for the owner, as there's no chance that the crystal edifice, art collections, room features, and staff could make purely economic sense.
If you're in Beijing, spring for at least one night here like I did. If you're like me, you'll spring again.