Waldorf-Astoria Beijing

The Waldorf’s central location, coupled with its spacious, well-appointed rooms, make the hotel a very good value.

• Contemporary art pieces throughout the hotel
• The original hutong courtyard villa with a private pool and garden
• Elegant marble bathrooms with Ferragamo bath products 

The Waldorf-Astoria brand is usually associated with the classic, even stuffy, atmosphere of its iconic New York property. But in Beijing, you might think you were walking into a trendy boutique hotel when entering the Waldorf-Astoria Beijing.

A stylized oil portrait of a Chinese woman in a high-collared cheongsam greets guests upon entry. This traditional yet modern artwork is emblematic of the hotel’s overall design, and is one of many contemporary East Asian pieces displayed throughout, along with rice paper paintings and a chopsticks installation.

The hotel is located in Wangfujing District, steps from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. There are 174 rooms and suites, which start at a generous 484 square feet, which is a novelty in a densely-packed city like Beijing. The rooms are painted in a subdued jade, a virtuous color in Chinese culture, and appointed with a stylish mix of Chinoiserie and mid-century modern furniture. The bathrooms are the best feature, with elegant gray marble and copper fixtures throughout, not to mention Salvatore Ferragamo bath products. The most impressive room is an original hutong (traditional alleyway) courtyard villa that has been carefully restored and repurposed as a two-bedroom villa with a private swimming pool, steam room, sauna and garden. Hotel facilities include a fitness center, an indoor pool and four dining options including a wine cellar and patisserie.

Those who want a central location (but at a lower price point than The Peninsula across the street).