Rooms in the more modern Chinese hotels have a particular aesthetic. How does one tactfully describe them without invoking the ire of the powers that be? We are, after all, in a very, very globally-connected world.
Hotel room designs paid a clear homage to the country’s long history. Guests were expected to be impressed (Bob surely was!). Imagine the first time someone like Marco Polo had entered the opulent throne room of the emperor.
Polished woods of different varieties were used throughout to convey an air of refinement.
The abundance of marble was juxtaposed against Western creature comforts.
The elaborate motifs of carpets harkened to the influence of the Middle East during the days of the ancient Silk Road.
The safety of its guests were also of paramount importance.
But design elements did not veer only toward the traditional, the contemporary was incorporated in very interesting ways. The toilet in our Beijing hotel room was surrounded by frosted glass in the bottom half, bordered by a Chinese wind/cloud pattern in the middle, and completely transparent up top.
Sometimes the modernity even exceeded that found in the States. Aside from opening the room door, the hotel key card activated the lights and air conditioning as well as served as a receptacle for those prone to misplacing things. As guests began their day to explore the city, the simple removal of the card shut down the non-essentials of the room. Talk about being eco-friendly!
