Five-Star Savvy Travellers and the City's Elite Flock to the First Four Seasons in China's Capital.

BEIJING, Nov. 9, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Since ancient times a centre of learning, achievement and power, more recently host to the world's greatest sporting festival, and today, the cultural heart of China with its dynamic visual arts movement, rich performing arts community, emerging architecture and vibrant 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 General Manager Sanjiv Hulugalle. "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.

Nearby, the stunning two-story Opus Lounge beckons guests with a lively atmosphere, or they may choose to go directly to one of 313 guest rooms and suites above, each a serene sanctuary in the middle of one of the world's busiest cities. A weary traveller may wish to relax in the Spa, or get straight to work in the Executive Club Lounge. A naturally-lit indoor pool and gym also await, along with a choice of restaurants and lounges that circles the globe for the best ingredients and dishes.

Reasons to Visit Now

As a special gift to its first guests this autumn and winter, Four Seasons Hotel Beijing extends its Introductory Package, including luxury accommodations, complimentary internet service and daily continental breakfast for two. Also available are the popular Four Seasons Bed & Breakfast package, and a Life by Four Seasons package that includes a Hotel credit.

More reasons to be among the first to experience Four Seasons Hotel Beijing: 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. For families, Four Seasons Hotel Beijing suggests a tour that begins at the Panda Garden in Beijing Zoo, follows with a rickshaw ride through the Hutong area, and concludes with a Peking Acrobatics performance at the Beijing Chaoyang Theater.

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 meeting for business or stopping in during a day of shopping or sightseeing will be treated to an extensive menu featuring English and Parisian Teas, both with sweets created by award-winning Executive Pastry Chef Holger Deh. The highlight is the Golden Dragon Tea, which 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. Opus Lounge also serves breakfast and light fare all day.

In the nearby Opus Bar, connoisseurs can savour premium liquors, Champagne and cigars in an old-time private club atmosphere, or perhaps 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. 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. Italian Chef Marco Calenzo, whose experience includes Michelin-starred Italian restaurants throughout Europe, suggests that the best way to begin the meal as the menu is reviewed is Mio's Bellini, served tableside from a trolley offering choices of fruit purees to mix with the house Champagne.

Meanwhile, on the sixth floor above, 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 - including the rare "Four Seasons Capital" from the well-known tea producing area known as Niulankeng Pit near Mount Wuyi, and the coveted long jing (dragon well) from Hangzhou's West Lake region. Each tea is sourced from the finest producers by the tea connoisseur Vera Zhou. Tea is served traditionally and accompanied by Chinese pastries for a calming experience that's not to be missed.

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.

Additional complimentary Executive Club privileges include in-room check in, high speed internet and use of a tablet, laundry and pressing, coffee or tea delivered to one's room at any time, shuttle service to the Central Business district, and more.

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

In the months and weeks leading up to the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, Director of Catering & Convention Services Karen Chiang and her team have been busy planning the city's fall and winter seasons of society weddings, gala events and prestigious business functions to be held in the Hotel's two vast ballrooms and meeting rooms.

The double-height 5th floor Imperial Ballroom, at nearly 988 square metres (10,650 square feet), can accommodate up to 600 guests. Lit by opulent chandeliers, the space is pillarless and can be divided into three smaller spaces, with ample pre-function space as well. A perfect blend of contemporary and traditional style, the sophisticated space easily transforms to customize each event. In addition, 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.