The Opposite House Hotel

11, Sanlitun Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing

In a city of chain hotels in nondescript concrete buildings The Opposite House is a great find. This striking urban boutique is located in the northeast of Beijing – in the smart area of Sanlitun – nestled among a ‘village’ of designer stores. Behind two huge wooden doors, one arrives in a vast steel and glass atrium that is both lobby and flexible art space, hung with a delicate metal curtain draped across the void. On the surrounding wood-panelled galleries, are 98 rooms and suites, each spacious, uncluttered but nonetheless indulgent – the spa-style bathroom comes with a huge oak tub for two. The hotel is well-deserving of a recent award for its cuisine: as well as great dim sum, the staff in the ground floor Village Café make a perfect eggs Florentine. In the pan-Asian, fine-dining restaurant Bei, sashimi is as good as it gets, as is the handmade saltwater tofu. Doubles from £150.