Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski, Beijing, China
Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski 5 Stars
A collection of avant-garde villas, designed by top Asian architects, that overlook the Great Wall, just north of Beijing.
Hotel Overview
Review of Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski, by The TI Review Team
By TI Reviewer Richard Brooks:
The sun was setting as we arrived at the Commune. Gradually leaving the urban sprawl of Beijing and entering into mountainous terrain, the shadows lengthened and sky coloured as we received our first glimpse of the Great Wall of China.
It was against this backdrop that we entered a unique collection of buildings, designed by some of Asia's top architects: the Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski. Its 42 houses are an eye-catching concept and have been honoured by la Biennale di Venezia and the Pompidou, a unique visual style that achieves a natural harmony with the location.
The facilities
The resort is well-equipped with all mod cons, as is necessitated by the remote location. The four restaurants serve good quality Chinese and Western food, albeit at similarly Western prices. There is also a childcare facility that frees parents to enjoy the poolside bar, plus luxurious Anantara Spa facilities (the Ayurvedic massage particularly recommended).
Commune's communal areas are popular but not crowded, and house an evolving art collection and designer furnishings, while the private screening room shows an array of world cinema. There's also a rooftop bar and extensive grounds that provide countless views of breathtaking scenery.
The rooms
The Commune's design-led houses are an entire living space unto themselves. Each boasts a spacious communal living area and kitchen, and a superb private veranda that stretches across four or more of the interior rooms. Panoramic mountain views are an absolute guarantee. Sleek, modern furnishings, well laid-out bathrooms and all the necessary techy bits feature in each.
These houses follow something of the emerging 'landscape hotel' trend; the relatively compact bedroom size is amply compensated for by the arching skies above and plentiful outdoor space. The focus is not so much on interior design, as the architecture of the buildings themselves and how they work with the landscape.
Facilities
Awards
"Coolest New Hotels in the World," Conde Nast Traveller 07
Come for...
- The best of contemporary Chinese architecture
- Treating yourself to an Ayurvedic massage
- Quiet and isolation
Not Suitable for...
- City slickers: the hotel and villas may feel too isolated for some
Children
Family rooms, extra beds, a kid's club and tailored menu are all available. Story-telling and a kid's pool are among the special amenities here for them.
Eating in
Four restaurants to choose from, with a good selection of both Western and Cantonese cuisine.
The Press Say
"China's most talked-about design hotel." Conde Nast Traveller 07
"It's an ultra-designer showcase of the way that China is becoming the new big thing." Tatler 05