Saturday August 29, 2009
Hitting the G-spot
Stories by JACQUELINE PEREIRA
A boutique hotel, unique and chic — that’s Hotel G.
Viewed from the outside during the day, Hotel G would probably escape your notice. It is, after all, a nondescript building — a utilitarian block meekly melding into a streetscape of similarly unremarkable developments along a dusty side street off Gong Ti Xi Lu.
Located in Beijing’s Chao Yang district, the hotel is just streets away from teeming and trendy Sanlitun.
However, once you are solicitously welcomed into the G’s retro-chic lobby, everything changes. On the right is the unobtrusive reception; on the left a cacophony of colours and furniture styles amid tall potted plants on the verge of growing wild.
But there’s a method to the disparate mix. The mismatched chairs and tables offer a conducive configuration where small intimate groups of people gather instinctively. Individuals take their space confidently against a backdrop of red sandstone walls surrounding a central column finished in stitched leather.
The night look The hotel is designed by Taiwan-based British architect cum designer Mark Lintott, renowned for his daring approach.
Hotel G heads the slew of designer boutique hotels that are offering discerning travellers to China’s capital a welcome reprieve from the generic styles of the chain hotels. G combines the usually incompatible, and pulls it off. The hotel is cool, chic and comfortable, being fitted with every necessary modern convenience.
The rooms (categorised as Good, Great and Greater) range from standard room to a series of super-deluxe, loft-styled suites with a raised bed area and large bathroom with free-standing tub. I walk into mine and find it extremely spacious and surprisingly atmospheric.
A life-size painting propped up against the wall, sections of print-stencilled concrete and stylishly littered 60s-inspired design touches. That’s not all. The divine bed comes with a pillow menu (pick from a selection of six), and the expansive bathroom is filled with L’Occitane amenities, while a 42-in flat-screen television dominates the living area, next to a funky, fulsome sofa.
Add the I-Pod docking station, Nintendo Wii and DVD player (upon request), and guests will be tempted to spend their time in Beijing cocooned in their G chambers instead of exploring the city.
Dine in
Instead of my favoured dumplings and pau for breakfast, I end up at the G’s Scarlet every morning — and evening too. Unlike other hotel food, this restaurant’s meals are not only tasty and tastefully prepared, they are also memorable.
Take the breakfast fare. G keeps it simple: an uncomplicated buffet for starters and a main course chosen from their menu. This offers a sensible range, from a hearty American breakfast to a healthy Japanese tray, all freshly prepared.
The refillable, aromatic brewed coffee is piping hot, and not stewed swill. You can’t ask for a more perfect start to the day, especially if you have already nipped into the compact gym that looks out onto the roof-top rock garden.
There is more to come.
By dusk, Scarlet transforms itself into a funky wine bar and restaurant with theme nights, DJs — and live performances during the weekend. More than 80 wines make the list, as well as Beijing’s (they claim) largest cheese selection.
The enticing European-styled menu does not compromise on quality or taste, ensuring that the array satisfies even the most fastidious diner. Along with martinis and mojitos — what’s on offer is intoxicatingly good.
Though I unfortunately didn’t, you can opt to dine at Morio, an independent restaurant set up by established Japanese chef Morio Sakayori. He deservedly enjoys a loyal Beijing following with his inventive, nouveau Japanese cuisine.
Funky room at Hotel G. Little specials
The 110-room hotel may be small in scale, but it’s big on attitude. Ultimately, it is all about the customers and what they need. With that in mind, the hotel staff genuinely endeavour to make every guest’s stay a more-than-pleasant one.
Acid test: ask the reception staff for a taxi or for directions. Almost immediately, you’ll perceive a taxi at the door and a printed map with address in English and Mandarin, ensuring your driver gets you to your destination.
Managerial staff are not above managing the queue, dispensing umbrellas and walking guests to their cabs in the rain.
The Beijing Excursions booklet in your room may leave you in a bit of a pickle. These tours are altogether innovative: Chinese cooking classes, walking tours and communing by the Great Wall, among others. Selecting just one on a limited stay is very difficult. I opt to freewheel by biking in Beijing.
And if you want to stay in, each room has a goodie list, indicating all the free offerings in your traveller’s temple. These include complimentary breakfast, broadband and WiFi, as well as marked soft drinks from the mini bar and secretarial services at the G’s E-space business centre.
There is even a map of the Beijing Olympic venues, which have, since summer 2008, extended their life-spans by becoming added city attractions.
The hotel attracts design-conscious sophisticates and sojourners, professionals and entrepreneurs, celebrities and socialites alike. Scarlet’s happy hours towards the end of the week are a sight to behold, as Beijing’s chic set enjoy pre-clubbing dinner and drinks.
Owned by Hong Kong real-estate entrepreneur Goodwin Gaw, Hotel G is the first in a series to take the country and region by storm. At night, the building’s facade is transformed into an explosion of colour — hotel guests even get to select their own window lighting.
Indeed, this is a little gem of a hotel that celebrates individuality while staying true to its mantra of meeting every demand.
Nearby sites to explore
Workers Stadium and The Blue Zoo
It is often abuzz with rosy-cheeked, schoolchildren in bright red tracksuits. Among the dozens of push-cart traders lining the walkways are those selling piping hot roasted sweet potatoes — perfect to sink your teeth into on a chilly spring or autumn afternoon.
Gongti Strip
Just a few minutes’ walk away, this profusion of night clubs caters to every leaning, musical or otherwise. The street simply rocks from late night to very early in the morning. Mainly a haunt for the younger set, the place has an energy that is infectious. In startling contrast, the area’s rows of bars and discos are rather 80s in vibe. Names of clubs include Destination, LA Club, Coco Banana and Angel Club.
Alliance Francaise
For a bit of French-style culture à la Beijing, so to speak, pick up the comprehensive Alliance programme and flip through it while enjoying an espresso in its café. There’s always an exhibition or French film festival to fit into your schedule. The bookshop is impressively stocked, as is the library.
Sanlitun Village
In contrast to its surroundings, the design and architecture here are bold and daring. Its futuristic and colourful glass buildings and maze-like layout are inspired by Beijing’s traditional hutong architecture. An uber-cool vibe pervades the hip shops like Beijing’s Adidas and Apple flagship stores. Also, taking pride of place is the looming, multi-storey Uniqlo which watches over lots of other quirky design shops, restaurants and outdoor spaces.
798 Arts District
The German-designed Bauhaus architectural complex, once an electronics factory, has been inventively transformed into a contemporary art haven. Its modern-day workers are a thriving artists’ community, filling the cavernous buildings with their workshops and works of art. Atmospheric, impressive.
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