PRICE:
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

The Grand Hyatt is unrivaled for location: directly over the Wangfujing metro station, attached to one of the city's best indoor malls, at the foot of the capital's most famous shopping street, and within walking distance of the Forbidden City. Standard rooms are spacious, with soft carpets and desks equipped with buttery leather chairs. Bathrooms are a bit on the small side, but do have separate shower units. They recently extended the reception area, which is a good thing because check-in time can be hectic. Thankfully, service is fantastic and reception staff are quick to make eye contact, apologize for the wait, or quickly wave you over when they are free. The palatial lobby is a popular meeting place, with live music in the evenings and Beijing's best chocolate shop at one end. The vast swimming pool has a mock-tropical decor, with rock caves and a ceiling of electric stars -- it's very kitsch and un-Hyatt but worth a visit even if you have no plans to swim. Some of Beijing's best restaurants -- including Noble Court and Made in China -- are scattered throughout. Facilities: 5 restaurants (Beijing, Cantonese, Italian, Japanese, International); cafe; bar; indoor resort-style pool (50m/164 ft.); children's pool; fitness center with latest equipment; Jacuzzi; sauna; business center; shopping arcade; 24-hr. room service; massage; solarium

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Beijing, 5th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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