Hidden gem courtyard hotels are truly the best kind of surprise. You pick your way down a grey alleyway, past dusty bicycles and gossiping old ladies, and emerge into an oasis of comfort, calm and hospitality. Beijing’s The Orchid is the master of this transition, but another, brand new courtyard hotel has the same moves under its hat: introducing Le Zai Hotel.
At time of writing, the paint is still wet on this boutique hideaway, just off Nanluoguxiang. Entering an alleyway between shops, you arrive at Le Zai Hotel, a compact maze of guest rooms (12 in total), two restaurants, and a host of balconies, sun-decks and other surprises – we particularly like the single bed massage room on a raised platform overlooking the hutong rooftops.
There are four tiers of room types, starting from 1,280 RMB per night (exact prices to be confirmed) for an ensuite double, and rising to over 3,000 RMB for Le Zai’s split-level suite with private terrace, free-standing bathtub, duel walk-in wardrobes and other luxuries. The more affordable rooms are quite compact, a common trade-off hutong hotels make with their purpose-built bigger brothers.
Interior design at Le Zai is by co-founder Peter Chen, a native of Hainan, who makes judicious use of natural light (recessed frosted skylights are a clever touch) and mirrored surfaces to amplify the sense of space. No two rooms are quite alike in design spec or layout, but you can expect soothing off-whites accented with touches of colour, lots of grey hutong bricks, and plenty of fresh greenery.
Hungry? Le Zai Hotel has two restaurants – the main outlet occupies the lion’s share of the ground floor in a sunlit space serving brunch (dim sum accompanied by teas), buffet lunch and dinner. Towards the front of the alleyway entrance, a tiny Shanghainese restaurant with a quirky 1920s theme has space for about twenty diners, and will serve benbang cai, a fine-dining take on Shanghai’s traditional cuisine. According to Le Zai, breakfast will be served in-room, and a bakery is also in the works.
Le Zai Hotel is currently on soft-opening period while paperwork and other details are finalized. Like the look of Le Zai? Get in touch at info@bespoke-beijing and we will put you in touch with the hotel or an alternative if no rooms are available during your visit.
Is Le Zai Hotel the perfect Beijing hotel for your needs? Our Hotel Recommendation Service will pair you with your perfect accommodation for a one-off fee – guaranteed to delight!
About the author: Tom O’Malley is Propaganda Secretary at Bespoke Beijing. A lifestyle journalist, guidebook author, glutton and bon vivant, Tom is a tireless crusader for fine food, hospitality and tourist experiences in China’s capital.