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Yanqi
Hotel
managed by Kempinski |
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| Beijing
· China |
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| Society -
World Level Perfection |
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6 Stars
& 7 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
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The
Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars
Award™ |
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| Just a half hour from Beijing is a place like no
other. A place where the sky is wide and the business of the throbbing city
becomes distant and unreal. Yanqi Lake, located on the foothills of the
stunning Yanshan Mountains and surrounded by a diversity of picturesque trees,
is the place where “swans dwell on the lake”. This natural place is a
habitat for countless species, including rare migrant birds and geese,
especially during spring and fall. This serene location is the home of
Kempinski's largest property in China, Yanqi Lake Hotel
(CLICK
HERE). Unveiled in November 2014 this resort was built in record time with
Chinese precision and craftsmanship to accommodate the large APEC conference.
Kempinski, founded 1897 in Germany, is Europe's oldest and most accomplished
luxury hotel group, which is managing Yanqi Lake Hotel Beijing, and is headed
by one of their best. We landed at Beijing Capital International airport and
were in no time through customs where we were greeted with gracious smiles and
a light bow. We like to eliminate the misconception of long waiting lines upon
entering the second busiest city in the world by passenger traffic. Beijing is
the third largest city in China after Chongqing, and Shanghai and the nation's
political, cultural and educational center and one of the most historic cities
of the world, with a historical record dating back three millennia. |
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| Yanqi Lake
Hotel Arrival Center |
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| Soon we were on our way to Yanqi Lake. We saw a modern
coin-shaped building and continued our journey for another 10 minutes until a
traditional Chinese pagoda came in sight. As it turned out the Yanqi Hotel
arrival center is located in close proximity to the astounding pagoda
(CLICK
HERE), and so is the Yanqi Lake conference center. The annual APEC
gathering was held here at the Yanqi Island in 2014, the largest event hosted
by China after the 2008 Olympics, and the leaders of the world attending. 21
heads of state including US President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir
Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took residence at VIP villas on an
island in the middle of Yanqi Lake. |
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| Yanqi Hotel
Arrival: Thorsten J. Buehrmann & Brice Péan |
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| The doors of the hotel limo flew open and in true
European style the bell staff welcomed these new arrivals. General Manager
Brice Péan, a decorated multi lingual hospitality veteran personally
welcomed us and guided us to the light filled hotel lobby. Since ancient times
Chinese pagodas have been praised for granting spectacular views and the open
views from here over Yanqi Lake were no exception. These views were nothing shy
of stunning but really took my breath away when I got a chance some time later
to climb to the top. Many famous poems in Chinese history attest to the joy of
scaling pagodas. Mr. Péan's career in hospitality exceeds a quarter
century of which he spend more than half in senior management positions with
Hilton in Vienna, Cairo, Adelaide, Fiji and Shanghai. He is European, and a
gentleman. |
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| This resort is located circa 45 kilometers north of
Beijing Capital International airport, 60 kilometers north of Beijing's city
center and only 25 kilometers from Mutianyu Great Wall. This stunning hotel
resort complex features a total of nearly six hundred accommodations, including
rooms and boutique hotels, alongside picturesque Yanqi Lake, with magnificent
views of Yanshan Mountain, and the Mutianyu Great Wall. Housed within Yanqi
Lake Hotel are five extraordinary restaurants and bars. We were guided to our
accommodations in the west wing along stunning Zen-inspired tables. The
exhibitions displayed both simple and dramatic stones set in white-combed sand,
a quiet invitation to stillness. |
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| I arrived in my accommodation,
a spacious ‘Grand Deluxe Lake View Room. Exquisite designs displaying
tranquil tones, soft textures and luxurious linens. Here the designer has
created an environment that pleases a diverse global clientele through natural
elements by adding wood accents and wall art in form of a noticeable ocean
wave, held in classic white black and grey, offsetting the straight-line lavish
style. The very attractive sleek and functional deep freestanding sink-in soak
tub, allows for gazing over the turquoise blue lake while overflowing the
bathrooms with natural light. |
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| We attended business meetings most of the day and I
withdrew myself to my suite after an exquisite dinner already spoiled by superb
culinary creations to find my accommodations turned down for the night. The
display of chocolates and petits fours was very creative and simply delightful
(CLICK
HERE), signalling that attention to the smallest detail and outstanding
service is what Kempinski is recognized for all over the world. No matter what
time of the day we were in need of whatever the international traveler could
possibly need, there was never a problem. It was evident that the crème
de la crème of hospitality: “Is there anything else I may assist
you with?” -- is a mantra here . |
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| I woke up to a blue sky and after a strong cup of
coffee I took a long shower, watching over a bluer than blue Yanqi Lake.
Without a doubt Yanqi Lake Hotel is a culinary hub and breakfast at Yanqi Lake
Hotel is a joyful celebration, a gourmet experience that you don't want to
miss. Each country and destination has their own customs, flavors and
traditions for breakfast, Kempinski always-including their ‘7 touches':
famous ‘Bircher Muesli', ‘Power Shots' (small, highly nutritious
drinks served at the table), a ‘ Pass Around Basket' of freshly baked,
warm rolls, breads and pastries, the famous European ‘Chocolate Spread',
all ‘Freshly Squeezed Juices', ‘Hot Chocolate' ( melted and
personalized to your own desired taste) and of course the ‘Local
Specialty' that features anything hot or cold that a Chinese gourmet could
possibly desire. And as ‘Tea' is an essential part of Chinese culture tea
is not served here in a tea bags. We shall return! |
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by
Thorsten Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John
Lomitola |
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| © 2016 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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