The PuXuan Hotel & Spa has opened its doors in Beijing, becoming the latest project for Urban Resort Concepts (URC). Designed by German architect Ole Scheeren, the luxury hotel completes the new Guardian Art Centre in an iconic building at the intersection of WangFuJing Street and WuSi Street, a symbolic crossroads of commerce and arts.
The property's interiors are the work of Shanghai-based design firm MQ studio, who have integrated luxury and metaphorical design throughout the space alongside local, cultural references, while artwork has been curated by the Guardian Art Centre and features some of the finest contemporary Chinese art in the region.
Meanwhile, each of the 92 guestrooms and 24 suites feature handcrafted and artisanal furniture by Hermès-owned Chinese lifestyle brand Shang Xia, and boast views over either the Forbidden City or one of Beijing's oldest neighbourhoods, the DongCheng District.
On the menu, dining destination Rive Gauche serves unpretentious French classics, whilst Fu Chun Ju offers some of the capital's finest Cantonese preparations. With direct access on levels two and three of the hotel respectively, the restaurants will offer guests the chance to discover a new appreciation for local provenance with seasonal menus that highlight the unique flavours of heirloom ingredients.
A slice of bohemian Paris in the heart of Beijing, Rive Gauche will be headed up by Executive Chef Ivan Miguez, who interprets French classics with his own personal twist, imbued with influences from his travels around the globe, paired with his eye for detail after years spent in Michelin-starred kitchens. The space is designed to include a variety of dining, lounge and bar, private and outdoor spaces, creating a vibrant atmosphere that draws inspiration from the Parisian comptoir culture.
Similarly, Fu Chun Ju offers a journey into the culinary world of Chef Waikit Yeung; one in which he and his team pay homage to time-honoured Cantonese flavours, interpreted in contemporary ways. Designed as a tribute to the capital's traditional Hutong home, the space features Beijing's famed hues with an aesthetic of amber glass, delicate timbers and stone. With a strong emphasis on seasonality of ingredients, Chef Yeung's cuisine is characterised by its meticulous preparation and nuanced flavours, be it his delicate dim sum, roast meats, claypot dishes or seafood preparations.
The PuXuan also features URC's proprietary UR Spa, offering bespoke treatments by Cha Ling - 'L'Espirit du Thé', an LVMH brand that combines traditional Chinese medicine with French beauty, along with organic formulations by the creators of wellness products Comfort Zone.
Other spaces include The PuXuan Club, with round-the-clock access to a fully serviced lounge, Tea Room, The Lobby Lounge, fitness centre and a variety of indoor and outdoor venues for both corporate and social gatherings.
A collection of half and full day programmes curated by The PuXuan also provide guests with exclusive access to local hidden gems and landmarks alike, ensuring travellers experience the breadth of the city's history, culture and gastronomy.
