For the best views in Beijing and to feel completley pampered, the China World Summit Hotel is a great 5 star property, in the heart of Beijing.
A luxury hotel, with great rooms in a renowned building, is one thing, but take this and include incredible views, delicious restaurants, prompt service and shopping just steps away, you have a fantastic city hotel. Our stay at the China World Summit Wing was comfortable, relaxing and perfect for those looking for a place to call home while on business, or looking to explore Beijing from a prime location.
When we first booked the China World Summit Wing by Shangri-La (yet it’s a mouthful), I was a little bit confused with the logistics. The Shangri-La brand has 6 hotels in Beijing and most of them are all on the same block with similar names. I wanted to make sure we were staying in their 5 star property, occupying the top floors of the China World Trade Center, the tallest building in Beijing...I was on the hunt for pristine views after all! So after a bit of confusion and trying to explain to our cab driver, exactly which property we were headed to, we arrived! We were promptly greeted by a member of the concierge team and escorted to the lobby, on the 80th floor!
The Room - Grand Premier
Forget the big comfy bed, forget the huge bathroom (with heated floors), forget the darling amenity of Le Prairie face products in the bathroom... everything in our room was a complete blur, except for the incredible floor to ceiling, wrap around windows. Staying in Beijing's tallest building has it's perks, but staying in a grand premier corner room is even better! The views seemed to go on forever, and on a clear day, I could even see the Forbidden City.
No matter if we were in bed, sitting in our little living room, or taking a bath in the deep soaking tub, the views were abundant. Everywhere we looked we saw the criss cross frenzy of the highways and the elaborate way in which the skyscrapers were organized. It was breath taking!
Once we were able to pry ourselves away from the windows the rest of the room came into focus a little more clearly. The bathroom was perhaps my second favorite part of our suite. The bathroom was incredibly large, with tons of natural light, making it easy to do my make up and the heated floors was an unexpected luxury. Our next house will have to have heated floors, they are amazing!
Everything in our room was just so comfortable. We had plenty of space to stretch out in and the separate sitting area and desk, were perfect for catching up on some work and having a lazy day. If you're thinking of ordering room service, do! It's incredibly delicious, fresh and the prices aren't too expensive. We had to get some work done, so we stayed in a bit and ordered lunch every day. The salads were fresh and Chris's burgers were hearty and satisfying.
The Lounge Area
It’s not often that the lobby of a hotel is located 80 stories up, yet in the case of the China World Summit Hotel, it is and it’s glorious. It’s elegantly Chinese, the views are impressive, and it also doubles as the club lounge, which every guest has access to. It's located off the lobby and my favorite part...they serve wine, beer, drinks and canapes often.
It’s easy to cozy up in one of the rich leather chairs, grab a glass of wine and watch the sun set. The hotel seems a bit more focused to business travelers, so wine hour was always popular with people in suits and coming from a nearby convention, so make sure to get their early, to get a seat by the window.
The Rooftop Pool
Although we didn't go for a swim, the views were of course amazing. The style felt a bit art deco and modern and I could easily spend an evening with a glass of champagne staring at the skyline. The temperature is controlled, so it's perfect all year round and at 25 meters, it's great for doing some laps.
Chi, The Spa
Chris and I both indulged in a few treatments and just let our therapists do their thing. The spa is known for combining holistic treatments with age old Asian methods and it's definitely apparent in their treatments like a Jade Jewel Facial and their deep tissue massages - both of which we had. If you're looking to just relax or need something a bit more specialized, their extensive list of treatments will help sort you out. Just make sure to stay in your bathrobes as long as possible - they are the best spa robes I've come across in while!
“The Chi spa was the perfect place to relax our sore muscles after a long day of sightseeing. The ambiance was very chic and luxurious, yet the friendly and attentive team, made it completely comfortable.”
Fine Dining at Grill 79
On the 79th floor, is one of Beijing's top international restaurants, Grill 79. As the name implies, the menu is mostly grilled meat, with every kind of side dish imaginable and some of the most creative pairings we’ve seen. The chef comes from Noma, which is obvious in the little details, like foie gras panna cotta and the hot and cold soup which is served with a bit of curry ice cream.
Every dish was better than the rest and the breathtaking views (once again) make the ambiance truly special. Even if you’re not a guest of the hotel, you must make a reservation here, if not for the views, then definitely the foie gras panna cotta!
Casual Chinese Food At Red Chamber
Ever since, we landed in Beijing, it seems that no one can agree on where the best roasted duck can be found, so we took it upon ourselves to try and seek it out! Promising to have the best duck in Beijing, the Red Chamber was an obvious choice for us, during our stay.
Located on the 4th floor this restaurant is a great casual place, perfect for a hearty lunch break. We feasted on popular Chinese dishes, from fried rice, to crispy chicken to duck tongues and of course a beautifully prepared roasted duck. If you’re looking to catch up with friends, or just want a casual place with excellent food, Red Chamber is great.
For more information about the China World Summit Wing Hotel, by Shangri-La, make sure to visit their website: