Summer Palace Hotel
Quiet imperial heritage. Low-rise Ming Dynasty-inspired architecture, no multi-story buildings, no lobby crowds. The kind of place where the silence itself is the amenity. Not for guests who want a flashy city hotel.
Use the private gate into Summer Palace early morning — you get the 290-hectare site practically to yourself before tourist crowds arrive
Why It Matters
Aman's first China property, and one of the few hotels anywhere that shares a wall with a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a private gate for exclusive after-hours access. The buildings themselves are over 100 years old. Only 51 rooms across the sprawling compound, including a 283m² Imperial Suite with its own private courtyard and spa treatment room.
A rare thing: a hotel that literally shares a wall with one of China's most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The 51-room property sits in a series of century-old pavilions just outside the East Gate of the Summer Palace, built to house dignitaries awaiting audiences with Empress Dowager Cixi. The buildings, all single-story, wind around silent garden courtyards with indigenous trees, bamboo blinds, and polished Jin clay tile floors. A private gate grants guests access to the Summer Palace grounds outside public hours — early-morning or late-evening, with near-total solitude. As of December 30, 2025, the Aman Group's management contract ended and the property now operates independently as Beijing Yihe Hotel; the hotel confirmed all operations continue unchanged.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Courtyard Guestroom
Slightly larger than the base Guestroom. Overlooks the tranquil courtyard gardens with elegant period furniture, intricate wooden screens, bamboo blinds, and ceilings open to wooden beams. King-size bed and twin vanities with separate shower and toilet. Indigenous trees outside the window.
King · 39 sqmCourtyard Suite
Identical in feel to the Suite but noticeably more spacious. Set around private courtyard gardens with a choice of combined or separate king-size bedroom and living area. High ceilings — one reviewer described them as 'at least 20 feet' — with a separate office area and open-plan bathroom with shower and tub. Ideal for couples who want room to breathe.
King · 90 sqmDeluxe Pavilion
Two-bedroom configuration: two connected Deluxe Suites (both king-size) sharing a living area. Works well for two couples or a family wanting separate sleeping quarters but communal space.
King / King
Deluxe Suite
Ming Dynasty design cues throughout. Most have a king-size four-poster bed. Either a combined bedroom/living area or separate spaces depending on the unit. Dressing area with two large Ming-style wardrobes. Some of the best rooms in the property for solo or couple stays — spacious without being unwieldy.
King (four-poster) · 70 sqmFamily Suite
Two-bedroom configuration combining a Suite (king-size bed) and a Courtyard Guestroom (king-size bed), interconnected. Each room has an en-suite bathroom; the Suite also has a freestanding bathtub. Good option for parents and older children or two couples travelling together.
King / KingGuestroom
The entry category. Overlooks a bamboo-shaded courtyard. King-size bed, Ming Dynasty-styled armoire, twin vanities with separate shower and toilet. Jin clay tile floors and intricate wooden screens keep the aesthetic very traditional. At 38m² it is snug for an Aman, so choose wisely if you're staying more than a night or two.
King · 38 sqmImperial Suite
Three full pavilions surrounding a private enclosed courtyard. A private pavilion houses the reception room, bedroom, bathroom, lounge, dining area, and its own spa treatment room. A living/study pavilion overlooks the courtyard. The formal pavilion works as a boardroom-style meeting/dining room for up to 16 guests. The vast bathroom has a freestanding tub plus two separate shower and dressing areas. There is nothing else like this in Beijing.
King · 283 sqmSuite
Set around a peaceful inner courtyard. King-size bed with a proper living area — daybed, reading chair, writing desk. The bathroom steps up with twin vanities, an island bathtub, and a separate shower/toilet. Decor draws from the imperial period: sleek wood furniture, polished clay tiles, exposed ceiling beams.
King · 66 sqmTraditional Courtyard
The property's largest family/group configuration: a four-bedroom arrangement set around a single private garden courtyard. Combines a Deluxe Pavilion (two Deluxe Suites) with two Courtyard Guestrooms, giving four bedrooms, four bathrooms (two with freestanding bathtubs), and shared living space. Exposed wooden roof beams throughout. Can sleep up to eight.
King x4The Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The Cultural Pavilion and Library host regular demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy by skilled masters, along with paper cutting and kite making activities.
Traditional Chinese art activities run from the Cultural Pavilion.
Daily tai chi sessions offered on the property grounds.
Full-day trip to the Great Wall, approximately 90 minutes from the hotel. Arranged through the concierge.
Guided exploration of Beijing's historic hutongs on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw. Arranged by the concierge.
Full-day guided tour of the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, and nearby historic monuments with a personal guide. Available as a standalone or as part of multi-night packages.
A three-hour photoshoot on the Summer Palace grounds in elaborate authentic imperial costumes. Includes a professional photographer, six edited photos, and 30 original photos. Available as part of a two-night package.
37-seat private theater with reclining leather seats and a 21m² screen. Advance booking required.
A private gate connects the hotel directly to the 290-hectare Summer Palace grounds, allowing guests exclusive entry before and after the site's standard public visiting hours. Early-morning walks through the gardens and lakeside pavilions without the usual crowds. Complimentary for two guests per room.
Traditional Chinese tea ceremony etiquette experience. Additional cost applies.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Conference room and one boardroom with audio equipment. The Imperial Suite's formal pavilion can also serve as a boardroom for up to 14–16 guests.
Complimentary high-speed wired and wireless internet throughout all public areas and rooms.
Extensive library with books in multiple languages covering the Summer Palace, Chinese history, photography, and Asian culture.
Dedicated space where local experts run demonstrations of traditional Chinese arts: calligraphy, paper cutting, kite making. Also houses the hotel boutique with artefacts and textiles.
37-seat private cinema with reclining leather seats and a 21m² screen. Advance booking required.
Healthy fruit and vegetable juice bar serving the recreational/spa facility.
300m² gym with Technogym equipment including Kinesis machines and a full range of cardio and strength equipment. Naturally lit through skylights. Fitness consultants available for personal training.
Sky-lit studio with Pilates reformers. Classes available at additional charge.
In-room refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages included; full room service available.
Underground heated lap pool surrounded by loungers. Part of the 5,000m² double-level recreational facility.
In-property boutique offering unique artefacts and traditional Chinese textiles available for purchase.
Table tennis available in the underground recreational facility.
One squash court with partners available on request through the fitness team.
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