Hotel Eclat Beijing

The Hotel Eclat feels cutting edge and eye-catching in so many ways. This impression begins before even setting foot inside of the pyramidal amalgamation of steel and glass that sticks out among the rectangular office buildings that dominate the surrounding area. Inside, the lobby is funky and modern, with lots of fluorescent light fixtures and artsy wall installations, Buddha statues, and plenty of steam punk touches in the form of leather pincushion lounge sofas, neo-Victorian chairs, hammered copper sculptures, and huge wall-spanning works of modern art. Many of the 100-plus art pieces here were created by some of the 20th century's best-known artists; expect to find works by the likes of Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol -- not to mention a number of well-known Chinese artists -- within the Eclat's walls. This hotel appeals to business travelers and tourists alike, but the funky vibe may not suit everyone's tastes and due to the abundance of art pieces in common areas and the overall upscale lounge vibe, it's not the best place to bring children. 

The Hotel Eclat is located in Beijing's Central Business District, inside an iconic four-building development known as Parkview Green. It's near the city's main embassy area and a five-minute walk from the Dongdaqiao Metro station. Ritan Park, which houses the Temple of the Sun, the Tomb of Martyr Majun, and the Ritan Museum is a 10- to 15-minute walk away. Expect a 17-minute drive to Panjiayuan Market, a flea market known for handicrafts and Mao-era propaganda posters. Tiananmen Square is a 20-minute drive away, as is Wangfujing Street. The Palace Museum inside the Forbidden City takes around 25 minutes to reach by car, as does the Temple of Heaven. The Beijing International Airport is around a 40-minute drive from the hotel, traffic permitting, or around 80 minutes by metro.

The Eclat offers nine room and suite types, from 35 square meter (115 square feet) Deluxe Rooms up to an enormous, 300 square meter (1,312 square foot) Presidential Suite with a private dining room for up to 24 guests, a huge private terrace, a private cinema, and even a harp. Most of the rooms have a similar decor scheme, with multi-toned wood-paneled floors and sleek, shiny black walls and furniture. Even the features are impeccably designed, like the polished Illy capsule espresso machines that look like they belong in an Italian bar, and the small clear-glass minibars stocked with spirits, soft drinks, and Mumm champagne.  The hotel also offers funky suites with their own unique themes. The British-style Notting Hill Suite features dark interiors, with shiny black accent walls and black-leather pincushion beds flanked by trunk-style bedside tables. A Union Jack rug spans across a sitting area with a black love seat and chair spiced up with decorative, colorful pillows silkscreened with images of bulldogs and Jack Russell Terriers. The shockingly pink Barbie Dream House unit is worlds apart, with a pink rug, pink crushed-velvet easy chairs with throw cushions to match, a few oddball statues of cats and dogs around the room, and a table and matching mirror frame that mix black-and-white checkerboards with multihued curlicue designs. The look isn't so much Barbie as some hallucinated dream version of doll life, and most guests will likely find it a bit garish, at best.All rooms come with -- at a minimum -- Panasonic brand massage chairs, Bang & Olufsen stereos, iPod docks, 46-inch 3D flat-screen TVs, and BluRay DVD players. Some rooms -- namely the Deluxe and Grand Deluxe Lagoon Suites come with their own outdoor terraces with private plunge pools, as does the gorgeous two-bedroom Champs Elysees Suite. Bathrooms are sleek and modern, with either tubs and walk-in showers or shower/tub combos with multiple spray settings, round vessel sinks, and a generous selection of toiletries, including hair brushes, bath salts, and pumice stones.

While the Hotel Eclat lacks a swimming pool (though some rooms do have private pools), it does feature a 24-hour fitness center with free weights, weight machines, cardio equipment, and yoga mats. Butler and concierge services are also available around the clock, as is room service. The hotel also offers a good variety of meeting room options, from suites with boardroom tables to the 21st story Cocoon, a large ballroom area with an on-site pantry kitchen. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. A free breakfast buffet with international and Chinese items is served in the hotel's 24-hour lounge, as are all-day snacks and drinks. While the Eclat is in an area with a reasonable amount of high-end and casual restaurants, there are plenty of on-site options for lunch and dinner, including Sun Ming Yuen, which serves Cantonese specialties including dim sum plus local specialties such as Beijing's famous Peking Duck. Alfie's Beijing is open for lunch, brunch, afternoon tea, ad dinner and has European cuisine, including English dishes such as fish and chips and roast beef. George's Bar and Restaurant has a huge collection of liquors, plus a Spanish tapas menu and a large wine list.