Beijing Boutique Hotel The Opposite House Named to Hot List

The Opposite House, Swire Hotels' first property, has collected a number of prestigious accolades since opening just nine months ago.

The hotel has scooped honors for its fresh approach to personalised service, cutting edge design by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma and innovative restaurants conceived by celebrated chef and restaurateur David Laris.

Both Condé Nast Traveler US and UK include The Opposite House on their 2009 Hot List of the world's top new hotels, restaurants and spas.

The May edition of Condé Nast Traveler US applauds the 99 guest rooms for "Japanese minimalism with ingenious built-ins and natural brushed-oak floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with light while blocking out street noise, even here in the Sanlitun nightlife district."

Innovative restaurant Bei, which reinterprets Asian cuisine, was also named on the magazine's 2009 Hot Tables.

Bei is headed by New Orleans Chef de Cuisine Max Levy, who has trained under some of Japan’s most famous sushi masters. Condé Nast welcomes his "pristine dishes" and "top-notch" sushi.

Bei also won an award for Most Innovative Cuisine, and was named runner-up for Best Design, in Time Out Beijing's (English edition) annual hospitality awards.

General Manager of The Opposite House, Anthony Ross said, “The team is very happy to be recognized by these prestigious publications. Our goal is to provide natural spontaneous service and great cuisine to match the beautiful interiors. We will work extra hard to exceed the expectations created by these fabulous awards.”

Besides Bei, the hotel's Mediterranean restaurant Sureño took the top honours from Time Out, voted Best New Restaurant of the Year and Best Service, Restaurant of the Year.

Sureño is headed by Italian Chef de Cuisine, Marino D’Antonio, who trained in Toulouse, France and Sabbio Chiese, Italy. He has run several independent establishments and has worked in Guangzhou, China prior to helming Sureño.

Australian Gourmet Traveller additionally includes The Opposite House on its annual 2009 Best of the Best list of the world's Top 30 New Hotels.

National Geographic Traveler, China includes the hotel on its 2009 Gold List, as Best Designed Hotel.

The Opposite House is in The Village at Sanlitun, a vibrant new open-plan shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties.

The name, The Opposite House, reflects the hotel's southern location within the courtyard design of The Village at Sanlitun and highlights Sanlitun as a district of diversity and opposites – old and new; east and west; bohemian and chic.