Another HOME

In Beijing and Chengdu, hotels that are destinations unto themselves — from art installations to conceptual dining spaces

-  ANDREA SIM

When hitting the road, the thought of a home away from home conjures a handful of scenarios. In a metropolis, an airy Airbnb loft. Out in the countryside, a cozy bed and breakfast. Up in the mountains, perhaps a cherry wood lodge or a glamping site. Hotels that tower tens of stories above the cities they’re in rarely come to mind as abodes; while luxurious, it’s almost a sterile experience in which tourists and business travellers alike simply return to retire for the night. Yet, in the cradles of Beijing and Chengdu are two that defy such expectations — down to the emotions their architecture evoke, and curiosities that live in the space.

WHERE: THE OPPOSITE HOUSE, BEIJING

THE HOMELY INTERIOR

Its vibrant, checkerboard exterior could easily be mistaken for that of a contemporary museum. Set foot within and you’ll discover it’s an inkling that’s not too far off; ephemeral artworks double up as the centrepiece of this hotel’s lobby. While we were there, a lofty, upcycled latticework sculpture commanded attention once through the door. The cosy 99-room property is designed by architect Kengo Kuma to let in natural light, and it’s vivid by day and dusky by night — lending a sense of time passing and homely comfort that juxtaposes the round-the-clock stark light of most hotels.

AN APPETITE FOR ART