A 51-room collection of airy, century-old pavilions inspired by the Ming Dynasty, within a stroll of the UNESCO-protected Summer Palace.

Boring. Curated experiences here include everything from calligraphy classes to tea ceremonies with masters.

You don’t want to fly all the way to Beijing and sleep in what looks like an airport Radisson, do you? We didn’t think so. Aman Summer Palace is nothing short of exquisite, and very of its place: each guest room is fit for an empress, with exposed beams on their soaring ceilings, Jin clay tile floors and sweeping views of perfectly manicured courtyard gardens. The three pavilion Imperial Suite is fitted with its own private courtyard and spa treatment room, plus a dining room and meeting room that seats 14. While you’re here, be sure to book multiple treatments in the resort’s subterranean 54,000-square-foot spa complex (the gemstone massages and singing bowl therapies are beloved by repeat guests).

You’re something of a royal obsessive, and Empress Dowager Cixi hosted her guests in several of these pavilions, more than a hundred years before this became an Aman.

You always love a craft night, so when you heard the resort hosts free calligraphy, kite making and paper cutting classes with local artisans every single afternoon, you felt your pulse race. What warmer welcome could there be than indulging in creativity with a local over a cup of tea?

Chinese Restaurant - Peking duck and other traditional Cantonese specialties

The Grill - Western cuisine with grilled-to-order prime cuts of meat and fresh seafood

Naoki - French kaiseki fare which combines French technique with Japanese culinary artistry

The Lobby - Continental breakfast, afternoon tea and light meals for lunch and dinner

The Lobby Bar

The Reflection Pavilion - Selection of cigars available in the cigar room

The cinema - 37 reclining leather seats and a 21-square meter screen