The Best Boutique Hotels for Your Next Beijing Staycation

Note: We understand that with the ongoing outbreak, now might not be the ideal time to start roaming around the city. However, in the hope that the pandemic will be under control before Dragon Boat Festival, here are some options anyway. As of Jun 15, all of the venues below are allowing Beijingers to stay with the presentation of a valid ID and a clean Health Kit status.

An old Chinese proverb states, "A hermit can hide in the wild but can truly be hidden in a city,” and it is this spirit that SonGy Hotel Beijing looks to embody. Located close enough to Dongsi and Zhangzizhonglu subway stations that getting around town is easy, SonGy is still far enough off the beaten track that you can escape the noise of city life. The rooms, most of them lofts, are designed in a way that maximizes space and makes them suitable for couples or small groups. Skylights in the rooms mean that you're guaranteed a serene and sunny wakeup call and a relaxing brunch on their terrace completes a perfect start to the day.

The Orchid Beijing

If waking up in the Forbidden City is on your bucket list, then a stay at Redwall Jingshan Garden Hotel is your best option given that the world-renowned cultural heritage site and locus of Beijing's 500-year-old empire sits just one street away. Between lazing around like the emperors and empresses of yore and enjoying performances and cultural activities provided by the hotel, this staycation is perfect for anyone keen to not only know more about the city's history, but fully immerse themselves in it.

Average price: RMB 720 for two, RMB 800 with breakfast. Tax included.
Special amenities: Very close to Forbidden City and Jingshan Park, cultural experiences provided.
Address: 68 Sanyanjing Hutong, Dongcheng District (东城区三眼井胡同丙68号)

Beijing Yibushe Guesthouse

With all of its rooms' designed according to traditional Chinese aesthetics, Beijing Yibushe Guesthouse probably hits closest to home in terms of old-world charm. The friendly neighborhood feel and expertly crafted rooms ensure that your time spent indoors is just as integral to your staycation experience as what you will find outside. Moreover, the guesthouse is a stone's throw away from the historical Yandaixie Jie, leading straight to the part-tranquil, part-frenetic banks of Houhai.

Images courtesy of the venues