Beijing: Hotel Kapok Wangfujing (4 Star Hotel)

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Address: 16 donghuamen street , Beijing 118305, China

Lonely Planet review

Design-led and chic, boutique hotel Kapok targets travellers who demand a measure of minimalist style and sophistication, a central location plus an international feel. Although it fills a blindingly obvious market niche, it doesn't quite cut the mustard.

The Kapok aims squarely at Beijing's scarce modish boutique hotel market, so it's got to be on to a winner. The exterior - a featureless greenish glass grill - says it all: Kapok aims to stand out, especially when plonked alongside the historic, fuddy-duddy Cui Min Zhuang Hotel. Designer types in cool suits fiddle with Blackberries in the lobby area where a minimalist cool holds sway, a mood that extends crisply throughout. But the glass atriums in the 'Fashion' rooms will need constant cleaning to keep Beijing's dirt at bay and there's always the lurking danger that nifty minimalism just makes the scuff marks that more apparent. We can see where it's going, but Kapok will need high-maintenance to keep its cool.