After a decades-long preference for all things new, people in China have begun looking to repurpose rather than raze older buildings, transforming them into structures of beauty and historical depth. On the leading edge of this shift is the recently opened Vue Hotel Houhai Beijing, a cluster of 1950s buildings in the heart of the city that was renovated into a seductively stunning 80-room boutique property, boldly realized by the Singaporean-based studio Ministry of Design. Designed to connect guests with the environment, the hotel presents a playful and whimsical interior, including pink wireframe bunnies and irregularly shaped guestrooms. The hotel has a youthful, exclusive vibe, presenting guests with both a luxurious escape from Beijing and direct access to its historic heart, via the alleyways, mansions, and walled gardens just beyond its imposing gate. Vue sits beside Houhai, the largest of Beijing’s trio of central lakes north of the Forbidden City. Prince Gong’s Mansion and the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling are also within walking distance. Hotel guests must be sure not to miss out on a relaxing drink at Moon Bar, which offers lovely lake views from its sizeable rooftop terrace.
