Wilson Associates has designed the interiors for the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing that opened this month in time for the 2008 Olympic Games. Owned by Beijing Macau Development Co. and managed by Hilton, this boutique hotel, the second Hilton in the city, is located near the Forbidden City, in the heart of Wangfujing, Beijing's prominent commercial and social district.
Wilson Associates was responsible for the design of the 255 guest rooms, including 58 suites, the lobby and reception areas, meeting rooms, the restaurants, lounge, and the spa. "Before beginning a project, our design team researches the art and cultural influences that are unique to the project location," said Trisha Wilson, CEO and founder of Dallas-based Wilson Associates.
The designers of Hilton Beijing Wangfujing's interiors were inspired by the Rococo style and the traditional architecture of the nearby Forbidden City. Distinctive friezes and an inspiring and colorful collection of objets d'art showcasing the work of both nationally renowned and acclaimed Beijing artists grace the hotel walls, while contemporary-styled furnishings in dark, rich leathers are softened by lavish suede fabrics in a quiet palette of beige and bronze with cream and white accents.
Lobby / Reception
"The entire property was designed in a holistic manner, with the harmony of a common language," explains Dan Kwan, the design director for the project. "Because it is the second Hilton hotel in Beijing we decided to create the feeling of a second home and infuse the design with a welcoming, residential feeling." The lobby is composed like the floor of a spacious country house with a small pantry/library attached to the reception area where two large fireplaces flank the seating area.
Accommodations
The hotel's deluxe guest rooms combine style and function and are amongst the largest in the city and feature the latest technology. The guest rooms incorporate highly sophisticated in-room entertainment such as iPod docking stations, 42 inch flat screen LCD televisions, and DVD players.
The bright and airy deluxe suites offer a whole new way to recharge. The Executive Level rooms feature generously scaled executive desks, ergonomic desk chairs, two-line phones with voicemail, data ports, and a separate line for a combination fax/printer/copier for ease of communication. The executive lounge also offers complimentary food and beverage throughout the day and sweeping views of the Forbidden City.
The spacious penthouse suite is a testament to modern sophistication. This glamorous home away from home offers the ultimate spacious retreat for work and play and is conveniently divided into four comfort zones, including a spacious bedroom and relaxation area, a tastefully designed living room, a kitchen area for entertaining friends or business partners, and a study nook that is strategically positioned between the living room and the dining room so that guests can easily transition between work and play. State-of-the-art in-room technology, entertainment facilities, and stunning views of the city add to the sense of indulgence and privacy.
The Spa
The Spa at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing offers a range of inspiring treatments that have been carefully designed to honor local traditions in healing and incorporate indigenous natural elements as well. In addition to treatments, the spa also offers a stunning glass-enclosed, temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool and relaxation deck. A serenity garden augments the wellness experience.
Meeting Rooms
At Hilton Beijing Wangfujing all the meeting rooms are enhanced by floor-to-ceiling windows with generous natural lighting and inspiring views of the city. The meeting rooms feature the top-of-the-line technology, from wireless Internet access to cable television in meeting rooms and an in-building cellular repeater antenna to ensure uninterrupted service in periods of high business usage.
Food and Beverage
Project Design Director Dan Kwan, who is also the design director for Blueplate, a new Wilson Associates studio that offers specialized restaurant design services, created the all-day dining facility, the specialty restaurant and the bar/lounge as interchangeable spaces that may be combined for operational flexibility. They have separate identities harmonized by a "common language," which for Kwan meant using poetry as an inspiration for each.
