The next big thing in Beijing – courtyard hotels. Of course we’re not talking about the American courtyard hotel, the big beige kind by the airport, with a warm pool in the middle giving everything a faint smell of bleach; we’re talking about the traditional Chinese version — and the Hotel Côté Cour SL is a charming example.
Here off a narrow alley in Old Beijing you’ll find a 500-year old house around a central garden that has been transformed into an attractive 14-room boutique hotel with all the modern comforts (wireless, flat screen TVs). Located in a historically-protected hutong area which served as the traditional home for dancers and musicians of the Imperial courts, it’s a stylish oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The only downside, services are minimal — a continental breakfast is served in the lounge, as are drinks later in the day. It’s a small price to pay, though, for this kind of exclusivity.
