Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing

This was one of our favourite hotel stays in China. From the moment we arrived, we felt genuinely well looked after. As first-time guests, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a complimentary room upgrade. We visited during Valentine’s Day, and when we opened the door, the room had already been decorated with thoughtful Valentine’s touches. Every evening during turndown, we received a small gift, which reminded us of our stays at Aman. At check-out, the hotel also gave us a beautifully made key ring as a farewell gift, which was a lovely final touch. We were added to a private group chat after check-in, making it easy to contact our butler team whenever we needed anything. Whether we needed a buggy to the restaurant or had another request, someone always replied quickly. We especially want to thank our butler, Ethan, whose service was attentive, professional and genuinely caring. He made us feel at home throughout our stay. The lobby is beautiful, and the courtyard rooms are both comfortable and practical. Although the hotel is located inside the hutongs, taxis and food deliveries could come directly to our courtyard entrance, which made getting around much easier than we expected. There were only a few downsides. The hotel does not have a swimming pool, and a few members of staff seemed tired and lacked the energy we wouldn’t normally expect at this level of hotel. We also had dinner at Vicini, but unfortunately found the food very disappointing and did not enjoy the meal. In our opinion, this is without question one of the very best hotels in China, and we would happily return the next time we visit Beijing.

A very special hotel in a special place in Beijing. Scattered among 7-8 alleyways in the hutong of Beijing are 42 exquisite courtyard suites… The concept is unprecedented, given that you are living among local residents, but the cameras and security staff in the alleys make you feel secure. Guests have the option to take an air conditioned buggy to and fro the lobby and suite if they do not wish to walk. Each courtyard suite has been thoughtfully planned out, with an East meets West luxurious feel, and many suites have private tea rooms and lovely landscaping. The care and precious in preserving the Chinese hutong architecture and heritage is evident. Worth a special detour and probably the best hotel in China at time of writing.

An absolutely outstanding stay at the Mandarin Oriental Beijing. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional - attentive, thoughtful and genuinely warm in a way that is increasingly rare, even in luxury hospitality. The concierge team deserves a special mention: they looked after us with care and dedication throughout our stay, anticipating our needs and going far beyond what we could have hoped for. Our heartfelt thanks to Akim, Vicky, Bob, Alex and Rueil, as well as to all the team members working behind the scenes - in particular the housekeeping and butler team - whose dedication made our stay truly seamless. A special thank you to the General Manager, Cedric Martin, whose leadership is clearly reflected in every detail of the guest experience. We will most certainly be back.

The Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing delivered one of the most memorable hotel stays I’ve experienced anywhere in the world. The location alone is exceptional. Set within the historic hutongs just south of Tiananmen Square, the hotel feels deeply connected to Beijing’s heritage while offering complete privacy and calm. Stepping outside places you directly in the heart of old Beijing, walking distance to iconic landmarks, traditional streets, and some of the city’s best dining, yet inside the property, it feels serene, refined, and beautifully removed from the pace of the city. From the moment we arrived, the service was extraordinary. Cedric, the manager, personally greeted us on arrival, immediately setting the tone for the level of care we would experience throughout our stay. That attention to detail never wavered. Jerry, our personal assistant during the stay, was outstanding. He organised bicycles for us so we could explore the city at our own pace, a perfect way to experience the surrounding neighbourhood. When we picked the bikes up, he casually took a photo of us without us thinking much of it. That evening, when we returned to our room, we found a handwritten note waiting for us, along with that same photo beautifully framed as a gift to take home. It was an incredibly thoughtful and personal gesture, one we will genuinely treasure. The team also arranged a reservation at a nearby famous Peking duck restaurant at very short notice, timed perfectly before our departure to the airport. The execution was flawless, the restaurant was expecting us, everything was organised seamlessly, and it removed all stress from what could have been a rushed final meal. It was handled with absolute professionalism. After spending two weeks travelling through northeast China in winter, finishing our trip with breakfast in the sun-filled restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Qianmen was the perfect ending. The setting was beautiful, the food was superb, and the staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. I’ve stayed in many hotels around the world, but the level of care, service, and emotional intelligence shown here was on another level entirely. This isn’t just luxury, it’s hospitality done with heart. The Mandarin Oriental Qianmen is truly something special, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return.