What it is

A 51-room collection of airy, century-old pavilions inspired by the Ming Dynasty, within a stroll of the UNESCO-protected Summer Palace.

What it isn't

Boring. Curated experiences here include everything from calligraphy classes to tea ceremonies with masters.

What we think

You don’t want to fly all the way to Beijing and sleep in what looks like an airport Radisson, do you? We didn’t think so. Aman Summer Palace is nothing short of exquisite, and very of its place: each guest room is fit for an empress, with exposed beams on their soaring ceilings, Jin clay tile floors and sweeping views of perfectly manicured courtyard gardens. The three pavilion Imperial Suite is fitted with its own private courtyard and spa treatment room, plus a dining room and meeting room that seats 14. While you’re here, be sure to book multiple treatments in the resort’s subterranean 54,000-square-foot spa complex (the gemstone massages and singing bowl therapies are beloved by repeat guests).

You're here because

You’re something of a royal obsessive, and Empress Dowager Cixi hosted her guests in several of these pavilions, more than a hundred years before this became an Aman.

The Moment

You always love a craft night, so when you heard the resort hosts free calligraphy, kite making and paper cutting classes with local artisans every single afternoon, you felt your pulse race. What warmer welcome could there be than indulging in creativity with a local over a cup of tea?

Restaurants & Bars

Chinese Restaurant - Peking duck and other traditional Cantonese specialties

The Grill - Western cuisine with grilled-to-order prime cuts of meat and fresh seafood

Naoki - French kaiseki fare which combines French technique with Japanese culinary artistry

The Lobby - Continental breakfast, afternoon tea and light meals for lunch and dinner

The Lobby Bar

The Reflection Pavilion - Selection of cigars available in the cigar room

The cinema - 37 reclining leather seats and a 21-square meter screen

Location

12 miles from central Beijing but just a short stroll from the Summer Palace’s East Gate. 57-acre Jingshan Park is a 20 minute walk away, and home to an imperial garden designed in 1179.