At the Third Ring Road (Dong San Huan Zhong Lu), this property is similar in quality to the Palace, both integrated into upscale shopping malls. This place is big, commercial and glamorous and is on par with the St. Regis. This 21-story arc of smoked glass is attached to the China World Center, a massive complex of restaurants, shops, apartment and office buildings, as well as Beijing's premier convention facility—all of which muddle the identity of this hotel.
In the recently renovated lobby, however, the hotel's character is boldly stated. This two-story showpiece is finished with lacquered red pillars in sculpted marble bases, Chinese screen murals, zodiac animal reliefs, skylights, and a marble fountain. A spacious lounge dominates this space, which is the place to be seen conducting business in Beijing.
Inviting a business contact for a meal here is another good move. The generally fine dining includes Cantonese fare in the Summer Palace and several international cooking stations at the Scene A Cafe. An Australian chef dishes up seafood at Aria. The hotel dining also boasts Nadaman, the Chinese debut of this famous Japanese restaurant. The tables here are fitted with built-in heat induction plates so dishes can be cooked at the tables.
Guests have access to leisure amenities unmatched in Beijing. The fitness center is as good as most U.S. health clubs, with superb exercise equipment, an aerobics studio, squash court, large indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, massage services and even an oxygen room—the only one in Beijing. A separate facility adds a golf simulator, putting green and three indoor tennis courts.
Meeting space includes an 800-person ballroom and access to the conference hall, which can handle groups of 2,000 people. All this function space is matched by the largest, most fully equipped business center around.
Guest rooms have undergone recent renovations, and maintenance is meticulous. The sleek fabrics and contemporary Asian furniture creates appealingly airy retreats with picture windows and some of the most comfortable beds anywhere. Rooms feature fabric wall panels, splendid layouts, and fabrics of the highest quality. Chinese art is integrated effectively into the design of each room. Satellite TVs and well-stocked minibars are in place, and workspace is excellent. White-marble clad baths feature dual basins, make-up mirrors, phones and robes.
Odd-numbered rooms face the 
Traders Hotel and a garden populated in the early morning with people practicing Tai Chi. The hotel shines even more brightly on four Horizon Club floors with separate lounges for smokers and nonsmokers, private meeting rooms, and a little extra patina. Premier rooms with living rooms are much larger, and suites are as elegant as any in Asia. Room service is always on call.
This hotel ranks with the more internationally flavored Kempinski for the here-strictly-on-business set. The location will not thrill tourists, as there is little in the immediate area for sightseeing, though this isn't really a problem due to its proximity to the Guo Mao subway station, which is on the same line as the Tiananmen stop.