A Stylish Presence

Guo Shuhan pays homage to the grande dame of Chang'an Avenue, The Raffles Beijing.

A sense of history dominates the Raffles Beijing Hotel, whose commanding French-Chinoiserie facade has long stood on Chang'an Avenue as an icon of the city's historical heritage.

The nostalgia starts right in the hotel lobby, where old-style crystal chandeliers give off a soft glow. Aristocrats from all over the world once walked beneath them and the arched ceiling from where they hang, and the plush carpet, so elegantly patterned, had muffled the footsteps of these dignitaries.

The Writer's Bar, in the view of general manager Riaz Mahmood, is "the historical soul of the hotel".

Photos on walls honor many Chinese and foreign literary luminaries who stayed, visited or wrote about the hotel in their essays and novels, including British playwright George Bernard Shaw, American journalist and writer Edgar Snow, Indian poet Rabindrinath Tagore and Chinese novelist and traveler Guo Moruo.

Guests today can still flip through a library of books in Chinese and English while sipping tea or drinking a cocktail.

Then in the JAAN restaurant, the original timber-sprung dance floor recalls the times of frequent gourmet parties, concerts and tea dances, in an era when the hotel played host to the social network of Chinese and foreign celebrities.

The old piano in the restaurant, now restored to its former glory, was witness to the presence of many historical figures, such as Sun Yat-sen, Chiang Kai-shek and the young marshal Chang Hsueh-liang.

Nine of the 171 rooms at Raffles Beijing are named after historical personalities who were associated with the hotel in its heyday.

Memorabilia is displayed in each suite, offering a unique walk down memory lane for guests and visitors. Attention to the little details adds to the whole experience. Chinese folding screens, porcelain-patterned trash cans, batik slippers and calligraphy brushes hung on traditional pen holders are all part of the decor.

"You are reading and living the history of China when you stay in the hotel," says Mahmood, proudly.

The rich legacy, however, is not the only facet that helps Mahmood build up confidence in competing with new and old rivals springing up all across the city.

He can also boast of having the largest suite in Beijing, a massive 888 square meters, or take pride in the hotel's unbeatable location with the Forbidden City as a next-door neighbor and Tian'anmen on its doorstep.

But, Mahmood is proudest of service that comes "straight from the heart of all staff members".

The hotel was appointed as host hotel of the International Olympic Committee and was chosen as the residence for dignitaries from abroad. With support from other properties within the Raffles Group, the international team, fluent in 14 languages, delivered impressive service.

But it was not an occasional success. Every guest is treated like royalty at the Raffles.

"Our motto is: You arrive as a resident, you leave as a friend and you come back as family," Mahmood says.

Guests are made to feel welcome as soon as they walk in.

There is no need to check in at reception. Instead, guests relax in cozy chairs in the lobby lounge while guest ambassadors do the paperwork.

Within five minutes, guests are settled into their well-appointed rooms and free to enjoy the stay.

Mahmood also tries to meet and greet each arrival and say farewell to them personally, besides leaving a personally signed welcome note in each room.

"We believe the unique selling point is the quality of our service, the service delivered by our staff," Mahmood says.

The hotel's list of awards proves him right. Its latest honor is the annual Reader's Choice Award by Conde Nast Traveler, one of the top lifestyle publications in the world.

Last year, the hotel was named the "World's Best Place to Stay" by the magazine

(China Daily 11/28/2010 page16)