Si He Hotel

It may have been built for a Qing dynasty warlord, but the Si He Hotel is now a peaceful rather than a warlike place to lay your head in the capital. The name of the hotel comes from siheyuan, Mandarin for the courtyard dwellings once common in Beijing. However, due to the city’s development, siheyuans are being knocked down at an extraordinary rate, so stay here while the place is still standing. The newly repainted courtyard makes an excellent place to kick back, especially at night, when it’s lit by lanterns and the only sounds come from bicycles ambling up the hutongs. The hotel’s 12 rooms have new spacious and stylish bathrooms. Attractive dark wood furniture includes traditional kang beds. Excellent value for money.