In the know

Our favourite rooms: Designed to resemble a Shanxi mountain cave, Heaven is a charmingly cosy room with its own stone roof terrace and antique artifacts such as dresser screens from the Qing period. Families should opt for Yin and Yang – two large joined doubles.
Packing tips: The open-to-the-elements style and forest surroundings mean that insects can intrude occasionally, so pack some repellent. This area is trekking territory, so hardy footwear is de rigueur.
Also: The spinally sensitive should be warned that the mattresses rest on wooden platforms, so the beds are harder than some may be used to. The Tibetan Tantric Space spa, however, should help ease the joints.

Beijing hotels: Red Capital Ranch, need to know

Current offers

Smith card offer: A bottle of Australian syrah on arrival

Red Capital Ranch

Beijing, China[view map]

Style: Huirao hunting lodge
Setting: Great Wall, great views

To the north of Beijing, at the foot of a mountain in the Spirit Pavilion Valley, the Red Capital Ranch is a rustic and rambling collection of 10 stone cottages, a traditional teahouse and a Tibetan spa. The area was once the hunting grounds of Qing emperors, and the hunting-lodge interiors of the Ranch evoke Manchurian history, with intriguing antiques and artefacts from China and Tibet in every room. Outside, the proud citadels of the Great Wall stretch out into the mountains.

Need to know

Rooms: 10, including two extra-large suites.
Rates: CNY1,425–CNY1,500, including breakfast; excludes 15 per cent service charge.
Check-out: Midday, but can be flexible, subject to availability. (Check-in, 2pm).
Facilities: Spa, teahouse pavilion, yoga area, free WiFi in the lobby. Each room features a selection of antiques.
Eco-friendly: The ranch has a recycling policy and an organic kitchen garden.
Hotel closed: 17 November 2008 to 15 March 2009.
Also: Pets are welcome – the ranch has its own resident dogs (so be prepared for the odd bark).

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant: The Manchurian Hunting Lodge is a restored Qing stable, filled with antique paintings that blend Manchurian, Tibetan and traditional Chinese influences. You can dine indoors or alfresco, on hearty and rustic Manchurian cuisine such as Tibetan lamb ribs, willow and almond salad, and fresh mountain vegetables, grown on site.
Dress code: If your wardrobe doesn’t extend to full Manchurian hunting regalia, casual lounge chic will do fine.
Top table: In summer, take a table on the first floor verandah and marvel at the Great Wall panorama. In colder seasons, compromise with a window spot.
Last orders: The restaurant stops serving at 11pm and the bar’s open until midnight (often later if Red Capital guests are still thirsty).
Hotel bar: The Tibetan Tiger Lodge’s decor lives up to its name: vividly painted wooden armchairs, 19th-century panels illustrated with tigers taken from traditional Tibetan temple doors, and a large stone fireplace. It’s the ideal spot to sup a cocktail and take in the views of the Great Wall and rushing river. Alternatively, you van enjoy the Warlord’s Room, an old-style cigar lounge showcasing historic Chinese calligraphy by warlord Wu Peifu.

Other facilities

Children: Extra beds are available, but this is primarily a couples’ hideaway.

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A bottle of Australian syrah on arrival

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