Detailed Review
After 1949, the Chinese courtyard became a realm of privilege, exclusive to Beijing's powerful elite. Many of China's leaders selected courtyard homes as their private residence. Red Capital Residence seeks to preserve the elegance and exclusivity of traditional courtyard living.
Red Capital Residence, located in a courtyard home in Beijing's Dongsi preserved heritage district, was witness to a history of intrigue during the Qing Dynasty and Republican era. One year of dedicated restoration by Beijing's finest traditional craftsmen was required to preserve antiquity and revive the spirit of this historic home.
The Red Capital Residence consists of five luxurious rooms, each appointed with original period antiques and a different historic theme.
Independent Reviews
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"A five-suite courtyard house in a traditional hutong, intimate and friendly, and a homage to Maoist chic and revolutionary kitsch."
A hands-down winner as TI’s most charming hotel in Beijing. We fell for its sense of irony, its irreverence and its sumptuous silk-draped opium beds. It makes a statement AND it’s gorgeously romantic – not many hotels pull that off...
Red Capital Residence
By Caroline Major
Tucked away in a Hutong in the Dongcheng district of Beijing, The Red Capital Club is one of the citys first boutique hotels. Worthy of a visit if you’re interested in a more immersive stay in the Capital, it is as the name suggests an ode to Mao. Parephenalia fills every available space. From copies of the Little Red Book in the reception lounge to figurines in the Bomb Shelter Bar and his thoughts typed on the sheet of paper in the clunky old typewriter in the Authors Suite. Even the hygience seal on the loo gives it the party approval.
Rooms face onto a small courtyard, with the concubine suites (east and west) having private courtyards at the back of the hotel. There are five in total, so you’ll need to book in advance. Hidden under a rock sculpture is the stair-case to the Bomb Shelter Bar. It’s no misnomer; do be careful how many drinks you consume there. You need to bend double to get in but the reward is worth it; an ambient bomb shelter slung with the tools of the Red Army. Guns, shoulder mounted rocket launchers and field radios. The bar serves Red Capital Bordeux, Cuban cigars and cocktails.
Back in the rooms the feel is moody with kitschy clutter in a Chinese setting. Opium beds made with Chinese silks and art deco chairs fill most of the space while Chinese Screens hide the slate bathrooms behind a pretty wall of light. They are modern with good showers, western toilets and mirrors printed with more Maoist propaganda.
For daytrips, it’s possible to hire the seven meter long limosine once used to ferry Madame Mao around the capital. It’s an exclusive priviledge of the hotel guest so watch out who you cut off in traffic – they know where you live!
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A Travel + Leisure 2006 ' Editor's pick
