Aman Summer Palace

Alex★★★★★★★★★★5.03 weeks ago

While it's no longer an Aman, this still is one of the best hotels in Beijing. To start, you get a dedicated access to the Summer Palace via a "secret" door in the hotel. Perfect for going early to run the grounds before the crowds show up. The staff are excellent and take care of everything. The room we stayed in was part of the original Summer Palace so there's a lot of history right in your own room! Finally, the food is, as expected, excellent. The cafe by the pond is a great way to enjoy afternoon high tea, and we did the Roast (Peking) Duck at the Chinese restaurant which was very good. Overall it was a wonderful stay and we'll come back !

Cervantes Flore★★★★★★★★★★1.05 months ago

Dear Aman Team, I am writing to share feedback following our recent stay at Aman Summer Palace. I want to be very clear from the start: it is not in my habits to complain, especially about a brand I deeply respect. We have stayed at several Aman properties, including Amanpulo and Amanoi, and those experiences set an exceptionally high standard that we truly value. Unfortunately, our stay in Beijing felt significantly below what we associate with the Aman name. From arrival, the experience lacked the refinement and anticipation we are accustomed to. The airport transfer was disorganized, with a long wait and no assistance with luggage. Despite an upgrade, the room felt cold and outdated, lacking the warmth and sense of serenity typical of Aman properties. Operationally, several points were surprising for a property of this level: – Breakfast starting only at 7:30 AM, which is late for international guests dealing with jet lag - No coffee machine in the room, old radiators provided, damaged paintwork, a very old television that is not facing the bed. – Gym opening at 8:00 AM (opened earlier upon request, but without lighting) – Sauna available only from 1:00 PM, making it unusable after a morning workout We were also repeatedly asked to sign bills, which felt out of place compared to other Aman experiences where everything flows seamlessly. The breakfast quality itself was also far below expectations. We also booked a private excursion to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall for 7,500 CNY. While the guide was excellent, the experience itself was indistinguishable from mass tourism, with queues and no added value, which was disappointing given the price. I genuinely regret having to write this message, but the gap between what Aman represents globally and what we experienced here was simply too significant not to mention. This feedback is shared in a constructive spirit, with the hope that it can help preserve the consistency and excellence of the Aman brand worldwide. Kind regards, Wahl Maxime & Cervantès Flore

VL Kong★★★★★★★★★★4.06 months ago

This Aman is located near the vicinity of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Summer Palace or Garden of Clear Ripples. Hotel guests have exclusive access to the imperial garden from 06:30 via a secret door. So you could stroll the tranquil garden and the Long Corridor before tour groups arrive. Suite was of good size, quiet and comfortable. Shower area, a bit bare, would be nice to have a dressing screen. Chinese restaurant food was alright. Breakfast was decent. Service was cordial and enthusiastic.

Paramapon - Rawewon “Numwan” Sutichavengkul★★★★★★★★★★4.0a month ago

This hotel is no longer managed by Aman, but the staff remains the same set as before, as informed by the staff themselves. The benefit of accessing the Summer Palace is still available. Front desk staff are able to speak English, however other staff such as those in the breakfast restaurant have limited English proficiency.

Zitong Li★★★★★★★★★★5.011 months ago

This is a wonderful place to stay, right next to the Summer Palace. Everything is filled with typical Chinese elements, and it really feels like these old traditions transport me back to ancient times. Additionally, the spa is an amazing place to unwind after visiting the Summer Palace — it’s the perfect way to relax and shake off the fatigue from a day of travel.