INSPIRED INTERIORS

Mix the romance and opulence of the celebrated Ming Dynasty with the energy and style of modern China, and you’ve got the NUO Hotel Beijing, the flagship property of the NUO Hotels collection. Opened in mid-2015, the five-star, 438-room hotel draws guests in with warm woods and leather furnishings, silk patterned walls, and textured marble that together create a contemporary atmosphere deeply rooted in ancient elements.

Art is also a big part of what makes the hotel feel vibrant and connected-and what makes it a destination in rts own right, particularly for culturally plugged-in visitors. NUO Hotel Beijing’s location near Art Zone 798—the pulse of China’s dynamic art movement—finds expression in art, music, and literature throughout the space, from the dedicated artworks in the lobby to the guest rooms and restaurants, which act as backdrops fora stunning series of carefully curated pieces from some of the country’s most acclaimed artists. Featuring names both emerging and world-renowned, the roster includes Zeng Fanzhi-often called China’s greatest living artist-who serves as the NUO Hotels’ honorary art consultant, and whose custom pieces for the property include a silver-and-bronze sculpture that dazzles guests in the hotel lobby.

GILDED INFLUENCES

A prosperous time that spanned nearly 300 years of rule, the Golden Age of the Ming Dynasty was an era when literature, art, and culture thrived—and the effects of Chinese power, opulence, and trade strength reverberated throughout the globe. It’s this iconic period that most informs the design of the NUO Hotel Beijing, with a decidedly contemporary twist. Designers from Singapore-based Hirsch Bedner Associates spent nearly five years carefully researching the ancient period and developing the minute details that help create the hotel’s feel of Ming-inspired luxury, elegance, and versatility.

IN THE DETAILS

Throughout the hotel, well-thought-out details help reinterpret the Ming Dynasty heritage for today’s luxury sensibilities, from artistic decorative elements to rich fabrics and materials. Signature Golden Age colors add a regal touch to the hotel’s inviting palette of brick greys, sky blues, and royal yellow and warm gold accents. From room to room, guests can explore symbolic heritage “footprints” of a veritable who’s who of the Ming Dynasty’s most renowned artists, scholars, philosophers, poets, calligraphers, innovators, and explorers.

Find nods to intellectual Zhang Dai in the hotel lobby; writer Wen Zhenheng and poet Wen Zhengming in the guest rooms; calligrapher and painter Xu Wei in Jia, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant; prince-turned-philosopher Zhu Quan in the Yuan Tea House; and legendary naval explorer Zheng He in N’Joy, the international all-day dining destination. Together, touches like these help create a complex yet balanced feeling of Modern Ming Dynasty opulence—a style that is surely poised to become a new standard for Chinese luxury hotels.

DESTINATION DINING (AND SPA-ING)

The energy and diversity of Beijing’s dining scene is well represented at the hotel, which offers several delicious options for satisfying your cravings. Savor classic Cantonese dishes at elegant Jia, international all-day dining at N’Joy, contemporary Japanese at Nuo’Ki, and traditional Chinese tea service at Yuan Tea House. Work up an appetite, or work off the indulgences, in the fitness area, equipped with an indoor heated pool, yoga studio, gym, and personal trainers. Nearby, the stunning NUO Spa offers holistic treatments inspired by China’s ancient Huangdi Neijing wellness philosophy, as well as beauty services using the latest technologies.