Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing

Whether you want to take in modern delights along Wangfujing (one of the city’s most famous shopping streets) or soak up the imperial grandeur of the ancient Forbidden City, Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing has a location to rival all others. There’s a world of wonders to soak up inside the high-end hotel, too, from a Zen-like spa with its skylight-clad lap pool to extra spacious accommodations affording views of the Chinese capital’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. The boutique hotel also adds fetching design touches, including a one-of-a-kind red, pink and peach fish lamp designed by the renowned Frank Gehry suspended from the lobby ceiling and art-deco-inspired uniforms by fashion icon Vivienne Tam for the bar staff. Speaking of which, be sure to toast your trip with a cocktail and an eye-popping sunset from the terrace of late-night lounge MO Bar.