Hotel Cote Cour is our pick for travellers who want to sleep inside the hutongs rather than look at them from a tour bus. It occupies a traditional building on Yanyue Hutong, a quiet lane in Dongcheng, and its fourteen rooms open onto a courtyard that guests describe as simply beautiful. Original artworks, both contemporary and antique, hang throughout the rooms and common areas, giving the place a personal, gallery-like feel that the big chain hotels cannot match. There is a rooftop terrace and a garden for warm evenings, a cafe and bar, and free bicycles for exploring the lanes, which is the best way to see this part of the city. The hotel is a fifteen-minute walk from Wangfujing, a short taxi ride from the Forbidden City, and about ten minutes on foot from Chaoyangmen metro station. It is a small, personal hotel rather than a full-service one, so it suits independent travellers who value character and quiet over pools and gyms.
Location and getting around: the hotel is at 70 Yanyue Hutong in Dongcheng district, inside the old city east of Wangfujing. The lane is narrow and the entrance is easy to miss, so save the address and contact the hotel before you arrive. A short walk through the hutong brings you to a main street with taxis, and Chaoyangmen station on Lines 2 and 6 is about ten minutes away on foot. The Forbidden City is about two kilometres away, and the Lama Temple and the Drum Tower are a short metro or taxi ride.
Rooms: fourteen rooms around the courtyard, furnished with art and traditional touches, with air conditioning and heated floors for winter.
Who it suits: couples and independent travellers who want a quiet, characterful base in the hutongs.
Good to know: there is no lift, so mention it when you book if stairs are a problem. Contact the hotel at least 24 hours before arrival for check-in instructions; check-in is from 14:00. Breakfast is not listed as included on every rate, so check yours.
Why stay here
- ✓Traditional courtyard
- ✓Rooftop terrace and garden
- ✓Original contemporary and antique art
- ✓Cafe and bar
- ✓Free bicycle rental
- ✓Heated floors
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Tour and ticket assistance
Good questions
Where is Hotel Cote Cour Beijing?+
It is at 70 Yanyue Hutong in Dongcheng, inside the old city east of Wangfujing. Wangfujing is about fifteen minutes on foot and Chaoyangmen metro station about ten.
How many rooms does Hotel Cote Cour have?+
The hotel has fourteen rooms set around a traditional courtyard. Its small size makes it quiet and personal.
Does Hotel Cote Cour have a lift?+
No, there is no lift. Tell the hotel when you book if you need a room without stairs.
