We list the best hotels, hostels, B&Bs and guesthouses in Beijing as recommended by travel experts from CNN, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Fodor’s, New York Times and more. All hotel recommendations have been referenced with customer reviews and we only listed places that have at least a 4 out of 5-star customer review rating.
“The Opposite House is the city’s hippest address. The work of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, this 99-room boutique hotel shows off modern Beijing’s commitment to design and style.”
“A laid-back hotel in one of the city’s most vibrant hutong neighborhoods, The Orchid offers a relaxing way to experience local life in old Beijing. From a trio of roof terraces you can catch sight of the famed Drum and Bell Towers looming over tiled rooftops.”
“Hard to fault this exquisite hotel, a candidate for best in Beijing. It’s located around the corner from the Summer Palace – parts of the hotel date to the 19th century. The big rooms are superbly appointed, and contained in a series of picture-perfect pavilions set around courtyards.”
“Even the most modest “deluxe” rooms at the Four Seasons Beijing come with state-of-the-art tech, bathtubs with city views, and clever architecture that seems to amplify the already generous 46 square meters (500 square feet) of living space.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Beijing.
“People pay top dollar to stay at the Peninsula Beijing, but they know it’s not a gamble. It’s a cosseting experience from start to finish, and a fine way to ensure your entire trip is seamless.”
Featured in CN Traveler’s 2018 Hot List
“The 222-room Fairmont Beijing, opened in 2010, has excellent English-speaking service and is conveniently located a short taxi ride from the Forbidden City, SanlitunCQ and the Temple of Heaven. The top-of-the-line Gold Rooms offer great views from the skybridge on the 20th floor and 24-karat-gold rain showerheads.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Beijing.
“Few hotels capture the bustling energy of cosmopolitan Beijing like the Kerry Hotel. Style and service runs through the veins of the downtown hotel. Bright, airy rooms are equipped with space age bathroom equipment.”
“Although just a minute away from the international airport, this 372-roomer succeeds in being more than a place to pass out during a layover. With contemporary Chinese art filling the hotel, Cordis has a cheeky, creative atmosphere.”
CNN, Lonely Planet, Fodors, Frommers, Telegraph
CNN, Fodors, Frommers, Telegraph
Lonely Planet, CNN, Fodors
Fodors, Frommers, Telegraph
CN Traveler, Telegraph
New York Times
CNN
CNN
Beijing is the capital city of China that has a history dating back three thousand years but it is home to the city’s sprawling skyscrapers as well as the sites with historical and cultural significance such as Forbidden City.
Some of the best neighborhoods in Beijing are:
CBD Neighborhood
Beijing’s Central Business District neighborhood is the most lavish replete with contemporary serviced apartments that gives mesmerizing view of the city. The neighborhood is home to numerous fine dining restaurants, shopping malls, cafes, bars, and other high-end amenities. Even though the neighborhood is pricier, the views and amenities are worth it.
Sanlitun
Sanlitun is a neighborhood that is known for its large number of nightclubs, bars, and shopping complexes. The neighborhood also houses a mix of skyscrapers apartment and complexes that are home to both residential and commercial realty. The area is popular among expats and locals who have a higher living budget and looking for high-class amenities.
798 Art District
798 Art District is a neighborhood that is Beijing’s official art district and is primarily a place for artists and tourists. Visitors from all over the globe make their stop at this neighborhood to witness the amazing work of art, while aspiring artists make this place their second home to try their luck in arts.
Beixinqiao
Beixinqiao is a neighborhood that is filled with shops, breweries, restaurants, and hutongs and is popular among expats. The area is smaller compared to the adjoining neighborhoods and is dwelled by middle income working professionals and people looking to taste the life in a hutong.
Dongzhimen
Dongzhimen is a neighborhood that is filled with skyscrapers and storefronts and is popular among professionals earning high salary. The neighborhood is home to restaurants and shopping complexes, making it expat-friendly.
Yonghegong
Yonghegong is a neighborhood that is the home to some of the best tourist spots and housing complexes with both traditional and modern amenities. The area as an equal mix of apartment and hutong living and is ideal area for visitors looking to get a taste of Beijing’s culture.
Also check out our guide about the best areas to stay in Beijing.
For a 3-star hotel, you would be paying around $65 per night. If you're looking for a 4-star hotel then you probably have to pay around $110 per night. For luxury 5-star hotels the average price is around $185 per night.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Beijing, then try The Orchid Hotel. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews.
Looking for a good and affordable private room or cozy dorm in Beijing? Check out Peking Station Hostel. The hostel has been highly rated by backpackers. Also check out our list of best hostels in Beijing.
You like some luxury but don't like the famous chain hotels. If you're looking for the best boutique hotel in Beijing, you should check out CHAO Sanlitun. It's a very cool hotel that has been highly recommended by travelers and experts.
Also check out our list of the best boutique hotels in Beijing, it's a manually curated list of the most unique and romantic hotels in the city.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Beijing, then go for Aman at Summer Palace Hotel. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it.
If you're looking for a hotel in Beijing that offers a great breakfast, then try the The Orchid Hotel or Hotel Fairmont. Guests of those hotels have rated the breakfast of those hotels as excellent.
If you're looking for a hotel near The Forbidden City, then try The Peninsula Hotel. It might be a bit pricey but it certainly is the best hotel in that area.
Mini Group: Beijing Forbidden City Tour with Great Wall Hiking at Mutianyu. See three of Beijing’s most famous landmarks on a full-day tour that starts in the city and travels to the Great Wall of China. Start with a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Forbidden City, and walk by the monuments of Tiananmen Square. Price: $125.
Beijing: Tibetan Yonghe Lama Temple Guided Walking Tour. Admire the well preserved ancient architecture and artifacts of the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple, which is also the previous palace of Emperor Yong Zheng in the Qing Dynasty. Learn the history from your guide during this 2-hour walking tour. Price: $30.
Experience Beijing: Chinese Cooking Class and Market Tour. Uncover the ancient secrets of Chinese cuisine during a 5-hour cooking class in Beijing. Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of a local market to gain insight into the region’s rich culinary culture and purchase fresh ingredients from enticing stalls. Price: $94.
More things to do in Beijing
Beijing is the most populous capital city in the world, and it also doubles as the world’s second-most populous city proper. Beijing is a megacity rich in history, technology, and commerce. Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China.
Beijing is typically described as a cradle of humanity as a result of its large influence on politics, technology education, arts, language, science, architecture and culture of the world. The city ranks highly in major indexes amongst cities in the world, such as indexes on capital status, international influence, quality of life and consumption level.
Beijing is also one of the most visited cities worldwide as a result of numerous tourist attractions littered throughout the city. As one of the oldest cities in the world, this is a further attraction to this beautiful.
The Beijing Capital International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, a distinction it has held since 2010 while the city’s subway network doubles as the busiest and second largest in the world. All these make Beijing a major transport hub in the world.
Beijing is home to popular tourist attractions such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, Zhoukoudian, the Grand Canal and parts of the Great Wall of China. All these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
We recommend that you read our guide about where to stay in Beijing. It gives you an excellent overview of the most popular areas, highlighting the main attractions and hotel recommendations for each area. If you like our list of design hotels in Beijing, then you should also check out our selection of boutique hotels in Shanghai or luxury hotels in Tokyo.
Check out our other articles about Beijing:
Where to stay in Beijing
Best hostels in Beijing