BEIJING, Nov. 8, 2012-- Beijing – since ancient times a centre of learning, achievement and power, and today the cultural heart of China with its dynamic visual arts movement, performing arts community, architecture and culinary scene. And now, China's capital is home to a new temple of modernity and style: welcome to the new Four Seasons Hotel Beijing.

"We are so delighted to share the new Four Seasons Hotel Beijing with travellers and residents of the city," says Sanjiv Hulugalle, general manager of the 313-room Hotel. "Like the city itself, our Hotel harmoniously marries Chinese tradition with a contemporary aesthetic, in a setting of luxury and the highly personalized service for which Four Seasons is world-renowned."

In the Liangmahe area of the Central Business District, close to the Third Diplomatic Precinct and amid Beijing's vibrant cultural scene, Four Seasons unveils an impressive building blending ancient Chinese themes with up-to-the-minute design aesthetic, technologies and luxurious comfort.

As guests pass through a wide facade reminiscent of the city's Imperial Palaces and into the skylit central atrium, they are immediately struck by the dramatic calligraphic art entitled Landscape of Desires by Qin Feng. Here the Chinese spirit of wu – performance, strength and passion - comes to life and sets the stage for what promises to be a memorable stay at Four Seasons. It's also just the beginning of an artistic journey through China's contemporary art scene, with pieces displayed throughout the Hotel.

In addition to its close proximity to Chao Yang Park and Theater and the Solana Center, the Hotel is just 30 minutes' drive from the Forbidden City, 798 Art Zone, Wang Fu Shopping District and Pan Jia Yuan Antique Market, San Li Tun Village, and the Zheng Yi Ci traditional opera house.

Dining and Entertaining, Four Seasons Style

The diverse dining and entertaining options at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing include two see-and-be-scene restaurants and three lounges, each designed to showcase the creativity of Executive Chef Martin Knaubert and his internationally-trained culinary team in settings that invite colleagues, friends and families to come together over delicious dishes and drinks.

Just off the Lobby, Opus Lounge entices guests with the city's most extravagant Afternoon Tea offering. In the bright two-storey space, guests will be treated to an extensive menu featuring the Golden Dragon Tea. It includes savouries laced with truffles and caviar, and delicate cakes piled upon silver etageres served with Champagne and fine imported teas – the experience even includes a two-hour massage at the Spa.

In Opus Bar, connoisseurs can savour premium liquors, Champagne and cigars in an old-time private club atmosphere, or sample the new jasmine scented signature cocktail, the Opus 1.

Ascending the stairs, the high style Cai Yi Xuan restaurant presents a broad menu of Cantonese cuisine, with emphasis on the Shanghai-Hangzhou region. Acclaimed Shanghai culinary master Tony Lu helped create a menu that specializes in dim sum, dumplings and pancakes, as well as local specialties such as the Beijing Appetizer plate and the famous Peking Duck. Overlooking the street with a sunlit formal dining room, Cai Yi Xuan also offers eight discreet private dining rooms.

At Mio, the mood is distinctly Italian – lively, eclectic, international, a reflection of Italian Chef Marco Calenzo, whose experience includes Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Europe. With its open kitchen serving fresh pastas and pizzas from a wood-fired oven, Mio invites groups of colleagues and friends to enjoy an evening of food and wine featuring the finest imported ingredients and bottles.

On the sixth floor, a very special experience awaits in the Tea Garden. Australian artist Jayne Dyer's incredible installation of hundreds of polished steel butterflies soars skyward up the atrium wall, inspired by the famous Chinese folktale Butterfly Lovers. Commissioned exclusively for Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, it's a fantastical focal point for the intimate tables and lush greenery of the space. On the menu are more than thirty tea blends, each sourced from the finest producers by the tea connoisseur Vera Zhou.

On the Move: For Executive Travellers

In addition to the 24-hour business centre on the third floor with its boardroom, and the 26th floor Executive Club Lounge is an exclusive facility where guests may enjoy a hot breakfast and refreshments throughout the day, as well as cocktails and a light buffet in the evening.

The Spa at Four Seasons

Inspired by the architecture of traditional Chinese tea gardens and courtyards, the Spa at Four Seasons is an oasis of relaxation and pampering. Spa Director Fay Sirisopa comes to Beijing following an extensive career in China and her native Thailand. In the Spa's 11 treatment pavilions, Sirisopa and her team of highly trained therapists seamlessly blend Asian tradition and cutting edge products and techniques in tranquil harmony. A sun-lit pool with whirlpool plus a 24-hour fitness centre are also available.

Glittering Events at Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotel Beijing is the ideal location for society weddings, gala events and prestigious business functions. The double-height 5th floor Imperial Ballroom, at nearly 900 square metres (9,700 square feet), can accommodate up to 1000 guests. Lit by opulent chandeliers, the space is pillarless and can be divided into three smaller spaces, with ample pre-function space as well. The well-proportioned Beijing Ballroom offers a more intimate setting for smaller events. In all, the Hotel has 3,250 square metres (35,000 square feet) of event space, one of the city's largest.

Destination China

Four Seasons Hotel Beijing is the third Four Seasons hotel to open in China in 2012, following the openings of Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou in July and Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai in September. The brand's growing portfolio in the country already includes Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Four Seasons Hotel Macao Cotai Strip and Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, with a dozen additional projects currently in advanced stages of development, including Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen, scheduled to open in 2013.

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