The Emperor (Huángjia yìzhàn)

The Emperor (Huángjia yìzhàn) Review

Though fronted by a boring brick facade, this hotel features a "cutting-edge" interior created by a team of international designers: guest rooms, replete with tube pillows, built-in sofas, angled desks, and color schemes bold enough to rely on bright yellows, rich reds, or sleek grays, and perhaps best be described as minimalist sci-fi chic (look for the wall-mounted flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi)—whether or not you'll spend most of your time at the rooftop terrace and bar (with great Forbidden City views) remains to be seen. For real indulgence, who could resist an open-air hot tub? Best of all, the Emperor is located on a tree-lined avenue, nestled among traditional temples and houses, making it a tranquil oasis in the midst of a fast-evolving metropolis.