InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun

InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun is our pick for travellers who want modern Beijing on the doorstep: international restaurants, cocktail bars, boutiques and the open-air shopping streets of Sanlitun, all within a few minutes’ walk. The hotel stands on South Sanlitun Road in Chaoyang district, a one-minute walk from Tuanjiehu metro station and about three minutes from the bars of Sanlitun, and it is linked to a shopping mall. It has 299 rooms, an indoor pool, the YU SPA and a gym, and two restaurants, one of which holds a Michelin star, so a celebratory dinner is only a lift ride away. Sanlitun is about five kilometres east of the Forbidden City, so you will use the metro or taxis for the imperial sights, but evenings here are far livelier than in the old city. Expedia guests rate it exceptional, at 9.4 from 181 reviews, and it is a good-value five-star choice compared with the grand hotels around Wangfujing.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at No. 1 South Sanlitun Road. Tuanjiehu station on Line 10 is a minute away, with easy connections to Line 1 for Tiananmen and the Forbidden City, and Line 10 also loops to the north side of the city. Taxis are easy to find, and the airport express and Dongzhimen transport hub are a short ride away.

Rooms: contemporary rooms and suites with city views, comfortable for both business and leisure stays.

Who it suits: couples, food lovers and nightlife fans who want restaurants and bars on the doorstep, and travellers who like a modern, international feel after days in the imperial sights.

Good to know: breakfast is a buffet charged separately unless included in your rate. Parking costs extra and spaces are limited. Check-in starts at 15:00 and check-out is at noon.