Away from the gridlock and congestion of central Beijing, The Aman at Summer Palace is a spiritual escape that combines old world elegance with decadent modern luxury. The resort accessed via the East Gate of the Summer Palace, which is open to the public and adjacent to the resort, is contained within a series of Ming-red structures and ornate one-story villas. Built in 1750, the palace is a series of immaculate interconnecting structures surrounding Kunming Lake that was once the summertime escape of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty.

A modern-day Emperor's arrival begins down a long passageway of mature shade trees and formal garden leading to the main lobby. Lined in clay tiles polished to mirror perfection, the lobby is decorated in traditional Chinese woodwork with modern touches like minimalist lounge areas and artwork that define the ever-hip aesthetic of most Aman Resorts. Reception and check-in is seamless without being stuffy. Every detail of guests' desires and preferences are earmarked before arrival to ensure that rooms are drawn to specific orders.
 
As with most Aman properties, a state-of-the-art spa offers a rejuvenating escape with nine fully furnished treatment rooms offering a mix of Eastern body treatments and Western-style procedures.  A staff of yoga and pilates experts can also accommodate even the most fickle fitness addicts with personalized consolations and classes. Afterwards there's an indoor lap pool as well as a natural juice bar to refresh and replenish your fluids. The resort is home to three full service restaurants including Naoki, a French-inspired Japanese eatery overlooking a central courtyard. Neighboring The Grill serves a more western dining experience with selection of steaks, seafood and vegetarian-minded dishes. At the top end of the dining spectrum is The Chinese Restaurant, cooking-up traditional staples like Peking Duck and Cantonese cuisine in a elegant parlor of nine interconnecting spaces fully functional as private dining rooms. .

The Room:

Entry-room categories would be considered full-fledged suites by most standards, but at Aman they are simply called guest rooms. Arranged around manicured gardens and courtyards, the spaces feature polished tile floors amongst a combined living and sleeping area arranged in intricate window screens, traditional paneling and wooden lounge furnishings with chunky upholstered cushions in subdued colors of burnt gold and creamy white. The actual suites are lavish and large with individually designed spaces offering secluded daybeds, cushy reading chairs and dramatic views of the surrounding landscape. The Imperial Suite is intended for modern-day Emperors of the business and film world with its three separate dwellings including sleeping, office and living area complete with dining room and private courtyard.