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BEIJING – ANCIENT CITY, MODERN TIMES
A sprawling, massive city of more than 14 million people, Beijing got its
start as a small northern trade outpost and grew over thousands of years
to become the Chinese capital. The Summer Olympics, set to start at
8:08 pm on August 8, 2008 (eight is associated with prosperity in
Chinese culture), will focus the world’s attention on this fascinating city,
which has undergone tremendous building and growth ahead of the
games. And while much of old Beijing is being torn down to be replaced
by shining, modern towers at an incredible speed, visitors can still find
glimpses of the ancient city, from the red pavilions of the Forbidden
Palace to the twisting, old hutongs (or courtyard neighborhoods) found
throughout the city.
Besides history, Beijing offers luxurious new hotels, modern and
traditional restaurants (Beijing roast duck is the capital city’s most
famous dish), contemporary art and age-old cultural displays like Beijing
opera.
Best of Beijing
Whether it’s world-class pampering you’re after or tips on where to
find the tastiest Peking duck, Mobil Travel Guide has the inside
scoop on Beijing’s top sights, sounds and sleeping quarters. Book a
room at the Peninsula Beijing to enjoy the all-around convenience of
one of the city’s premier hotels. Or, for peerless tranquility, try the
Shangri-la Hotel, the name says it all. Test your tastebud threshold
with traditional Sichuan fiery-hot fare at the ever popular Chuan Ban
Restaurant, or dine on duck in style at the Grand Hyatt’s Made in
China. A hike along the Great Wall is a must and an afternoon in the
Forbidden City and Imperial Garden prove the beauty of this
blossoming metropolis. And just so you don’t leave empty-handed,
Mobil Travel Guide will tell you just where to score the finest
freshwater pearls (and how to haggle a fair price). Grab your
passport and get packed. Beijing is waiting.
Hotel Ratings:
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Five-Star - Four-Star
- Three-Star
- Two-Star
- One-Star
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The Peninsula Beverly Hills CA This French Renaissance-style hotel is designed to resemble a luxurious private residence (one you’ll never want to leave). The antique-filled guest rooms feature oversized marble tubs and state-of-the-art electronic systems that allow visitors to control the environment with the touch of a button. The meticulous gardens, rooftop pool and relaxing spa make the space feel like home. Even pets are pampered, with doggie beds (including turndown) and a pet-friendly room service menu. The dining here is exceptional, from the delicious West Coast cuisine of the Belvedere to the wonderful afternoon tea of the Living Room. Particularly convenient is the flexible check-in/check-out policy: whenever a guest checks in, they have 24 hours before check-out. |
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Read more about The Peninsula Beverly Hills CA Read more about Mobil Star-Rated Hotels Read Mobil Hotel Inspector Reviews for all Mobil-Rated Four- and Five-Star Hotels. |
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US Grant Hotel San Diego CA This nearly 100-year-old hotel (opened in 1910 by Ulysses S. Grant, Jr. and his wife Fannie, and now part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection) recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation that restored the polish to this historic, grand building. The opulent new interiors, from the lobby to the Grant Grill, blend updated Art Deco furniture and decorative objects seamlessly with the belle époque bones of the hotel. Rooms feature original French art, custom imported wool carpets and marble bathrooms. The staff tends to guests’ desires with old-world aplomb. Spa treatments, from hot stone to deep tissue massage, are available in-room through a local spa. |
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Read more about US Grant Hotel San Diego CA Read more about Mobil Star-Rated Hotels Read Mobil Hotel Inspector Reviews for all Mobil-Rated Four- and Five-Star Hotels. |
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Burnham Hotel Chicago IL Reviving the historic Reliance Building (predecessor of the modern skyscraper and early 1900s home of department store Carson Pirie Scott), the Burnham retains the integrity of the landmark architecture, integrating it with a whimsically elegant, clubby ambience. In the Loop near the downtown theater district, major museums, and parks, the hotel is appropriate for business or leisure travel. Rooms and suites offer dramatic views of the Chicago cityscape. The in-house Atwood Café (see) serves upscale American comfort food (including breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, and pre-theater options). The hotel offers 24-hour room service, as well as pampering pet treatments. |
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Raleigh Miami Beach FL Trendsetting hotelier Andre Balasz of the Standard Hotel in Los Angeles acquired the Art Deco vintage Raleigh Hotel, which he refurbished and reopened in 2004 to acclaim. Although it’s firmly on the South Beach nightlife circuit, only guests can take full advantage of its charms, including tropical-modern guest room décor, terrace suites, and a keyhole-shaped pool where Esther Williams once performed water ballets. The see-and-be-seen set pose photo-shoot ready on the outdoor dining deck lit by globe lanterns. |
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Jurys Normandy Inn Washington DC The Jurys Normandy Inn is located in the heart of the Embassy District and is conveniently located with close proximity to Washington’s many sites and attractions, including national monuments, theaters, restaurants, and shopping. This traditional hotel is suitable for both the leisure and business travelers alike. Friendly and genuine staff welcomes guests in the intimate setting of the lobby, and guest rooms include amenities such as mini refrigerators, coffee makers, complimentary high speed internet and work desks. |
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Restaurant Ratings:
- Five-Star
- Four-Star
- Three-Star
- Two-Star
- One-Star
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The French Laundry - Yountville, California Chef Thomas Keller dazzles guests with exquisite French fare in this circa-1900 river rock and timber cottage, once a French steam laundry. The 9-course Chef's Tasting Menu and the 9-course Vegetable Tasting Menu showcase the best seasonal products available. |
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Capitol Grille Nashville TN Located in the elegant Hermitage Hotel, the Capitol Grille offers an equally posh dining experience. Near the state capitol, the Grille hosts many a power lunch, but it’s also a popular spot for theater-goers who want to enjoy a fine meal before a show at the nearby Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Executive Chef Tyler Brown oversees the creation of creative Southern cuisine; the menu is full of such dishes as Niman Ranch pork with sweet potato juice and veal loin with root vegetables. Truffle mac and cheese and spicy fried green tomato with spicy pepper relish are just a few of the restaurant’s irresistible side dishes, and desserts like flourless chocolate ganache torte end the evening on a perfect note. Located downstairs in the historic Hermitage Hotel, this Southern-influenced restaurant offers a different menu each week. |
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Michael Mina San Francisco CA Located in the Westin St. Francis (see), Michael Mina’s namesake restaurant is an exercise in excess. The much-lauded dining room is bathed in shades of beige, soft taupe, and sage and fit with 20-foot-tall white columns and arched windows. Tables are topped with 3/4-length taupe undercloths, white top cloths, sage napkins, and Riedel stemware; dinnerware is by Royal Doulton and Bernardaud. Chef Mina oversees everthing in his restaurant, from personally designing the china and compostition of each dish to frequently supervising the kitchen. Diners are offered a tasting menu as well as a prix fixe menu that includes such favorites as the lobster pot pie and classic root beer float. The 2200-selection deep wine list is among the largest on the West Coast. |
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Cafe Absinthe Chicago IL You’d never know what lies behind the walls of this Wicker Park restaurant from the looks of the unassuming façade (and the entrance off an alley behind the building): an intimate and elegant bistro with some of most innovative cuisine (with a French twist) in the city. Take note, however, that it is definitely an “urban” experience—the restaurant can become crowded and, at times, very noisy. Hardwood floors and exposed brick walls and wood beams add to the atmosphere. |
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Barney Greengrass New York NY If you don’t mind lines that rival opening day of The Lord of the Rings, then you'll be fine at Barney Greengrass, an Upper West Side institution since 1908. The restaurant, still decked out like a vintage New York soda fountain, features a simple menu of eggs, waffles, pancakes, and assorted heavenly platters of smoked fish and bagels. From the menu to the waiters to the décor, Barney Greengrass hasn't really changed a whole lot in its century of doing business, and that is part of its distinct old-world charm. |
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Spa Ratings:
- Five-Star
- Four-Star
- Three-Star
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Spa at the Sanctuary Located inside the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, this spa resembles a grand Southern seaside mansion. Inside, the hospitable staff greets guests with herbal tea and fresh fruit before leading the way to one of 12 rooms for nature-based treatments, which feature -botanical extracts, natural enzymes and a signature Southern touch. The Low Country verbena body polish uses fresh lemon verbena and mild buffing grains of ruby grapefruit and blood orange extracts to coax skin back into hydration. If exercise is on your mind, head downstairs to the fitness center. This ultra-modern facility features the latest cardiovascular and resistance equipment, a 65-foot-long indoor pool and Pilates and yoga studios. |
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Spa Grande at Grand Wailea Resort HI The Grand Wailea’s 50,000-square-foot spa has elegant interiors, a comprehensive fitness center and extensive spa menu. Visits begin with a one-hour Wailea hydrotherapy session, featuring five different aromatic baths to choose from including a bubbling Japanese furo bath, cascading waterfall, cold plunge pool, eucalyptus steam room and a redwood sauna, Roman Jacuzzi, or Swiss jet shower. Spa Grande’s sizable menu includes a blend of classic treatments, Hawaiian favorites and eastern therapies. Experience pure pleasure with a deep shiatsu barefoot massage, or awaken your senses with an aromatherapy massage, just two of the 12 different types of massage available. |
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The Spa at Camelback Inn Scottsdale AZ After receiving an $8 million facelift, the Spa at Camelback Inn has swapped its old cliché Santa Fe trappings of turquoise and salmon for richer chocolate brown woods, flagstone walls, and expansive windows to create an inviting, placid retreat. If the gas fireplace in the main relaxation room doesn’t soothe your spirit, head outside to the solarium and let the sound of rippling water from a flowing fountain do the trick. Relax in your own private casita, sipping chilled water and sampling fresh fruit as you contemplate treatment options. The facility offers a variety of massages, facials, and body treatments–including the highly coveted Dr. Perricone anti-aging facial–and many draw from Native American techniques and indigenous ingredients from the desert. |
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City Guides at Howstuffworks: In-Depth Travel Info
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Montreal, Quebec Montreal has year-round activities and attractions that make it a great city to visit -- Mont Royal Park, Saint Joseph's Oratory, Old Port at Chateau Ramezay, Bonsecours Market, Notre Dame Basilica, and Montreal Botanical Garden to name a few. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Montreal | |
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Miami, Florida Miami is known for its steamy weather, cool, blue-wave beaches, a thriving fashion scene and flashy nightclubs. But there's another side to this cosmopolitan beach town: neighborhood Cuban restaurants, beach bums basking in the sun, and a world-class art scene. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Miami | |
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Washington, District of Columbia From its monuments and landmarks to its diverse neighborhoods, the nation's capital attracts more than 20 million international and domestic visitors each year. The famous sights and museums (many of which have free admission) and a year-round calendar of special events make Washington, DC, one of the world's top tourist destinations. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Washington | |
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Phoenix, Arizona "The Valley of the Sun" as Phoenix is popularly known, or simply "the Valley", boasts more than 325 days of sunshine each year. Azure skies, warm temperatures, rugged mountains, endless outdoor activities, world-class golf, fine dining, and numerous Five-Star resorts lure 13 million travelers to the Valley annually. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Phoenix | |
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Chicago, Illinois As the cultural and commercial center of the Midwest, Chicago attracts both leisure and business travelers, and has attractions to fit pretty much any interest, from families in search of a thrill at the Navy Pier Ferris wheel to couples strolling hand-in-hand along Oak Street Beach. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Chicago | |
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Dallas, Texas Everything's bigger in the Lone Star State. This is one reason the "Big D" holds a special place in the hearts of many Texans. Surrounded by a Metroplex that covers 12 counties and spans nearly 9,000 square miles, Dallas lives up to its new tourism slogan: "Live Large. Think Big." |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Dallas | |
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Denver, Colorado A cosmopolitan city saddled in historic Western roots, Denver's where skyscrapers line the bustling downtown streets, their facades framed by the magnificent Rocky Mountains looming in the distance. And with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the city's 20,000 acres of parkland are packed with outdoor enthusiasts, even in winter. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Denver | |
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Houston, Texas Houston has struck a comfortable balance of big city opportunities and small town ideals. While a jaunt to Johnson Space Center is a must for a first-timer, a trip to the historic Houston Heights and its charming Victorian homes and unique shops shows the flip side of this metropolis. |
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| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Houston | |
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Las Vegas, Nevada Whether coming for a well-earned vacation or planning around your convention schedule, you'll want to make the most of every minute you spend in this bright city. Many visitors leave feeling they only sampled a small amount of all Las Vegas has to offer, so make sure you’re in the know before you go. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Las Vegas | |
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Los Angeles, California Home to one the world's most popular amusement parks (Disneyland), Los Angeles provides numerous activities and attractions--you can hike in the nearby mountains and hills, visit top-notch galleries and museums, check out bands, watch obscure films that no one else in the country gets to see, shop at cool local boutiques, and eat delicious, healthy food. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Los Angeles | |
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Nashville, Tennessee The "Nashville Sound" is heard all over the world, and visitors to Music City USA are among its most loyal audience. Besides the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville's popular attractions include the new Schermerhorn Symphony Center or the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Nashville | |
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New York, New York New York's most famous attractions draw hordes of tourists every year, but the heart of New York lies elsewhere -- in the neighborhood hangouts, ethnic restaurants, offbeat museums, Off-Off-Broadway theaters, underground nightspots, and much more. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to New York | |
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Orlando, Florida Simply put, Orlando is the world's top tourist destination. You can enjoy year-round sunshine at world-class resorts, theme parks, and attractions, but there's so much more to see and do. Greater Orlando has many fine museums and galleries, wonderful parks, and many places to see spectacular wildlife. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Orlando | |
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania History does drive tourism in Philadelphia, but it's only the backdrop for this diverse, fast-moving city. People visit for the historic attractions, but they come back for the extraordinary restaurants, award-winning visual and performing arts, and those very special features that exist nowhere else in the world. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Philadelphia | |
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Portland, Oregon Portland's many bridges, with their oft-confusing cat's cradle of on-ramps and off-ramps, may be a challenge to visitors, but they link the east to the west, providing easy access to the diverse neighborhoods' parks, recreation, shopping, and culture. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Portland | |
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Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City boasts 11,000-foot alpine peaks that tower over the skyline, and smooth saline waters that make up the city's namesake inland sea. For many, it's a jumping off point for nearby winter sports -- nearby resorts include Alta, Deer Valley, Snowbird, and Sundance. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Salt Lake City | |
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San Diego, California Everyone already knows a few things about San Diego -- the picture-perfect beaches, surfing, savory Mexican food, and Shamu the killer whale. San Diegans appreciate sun bathing, long boards, and a good fish taco, but a visit to this Pacific Coast metropolis is more than just a day at the beach. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to San Diego | |
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San Francisco, California The beauty of San Francisco is that each neighborhood has a unique personality and charm, and together they make this city one of the best places to wander around for an afternoon. Since San Francisco is a relatively small city (only about seven square miles) it can easily explored in a few days. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to San Francisco | |
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Seattle, Washington While Seattle skies are indeed gray for much of the year, when the skies are clear, you can look westward across the harbor, speckled with sailboats and container ships, to the saw-toothed Olympic Mountains. To the north rises the fabled Space Needle; to the south, you'll find majestic and perennially snowcapped Mount Rainier. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Seattle | |
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Toronto, Ontario Toronto has four professional sports teams, a full slate of cultural attractions and green space galore, plus an idyllic group of islands just a short ferry ride away from downtown. More than anything, however, Toronto is a city of neighborhoods, each one with its own unique character, and many with a distinct ethnic flavor. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Toronto | |
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Vancouver, British Columbia You've heard that Vancouver is gorgeous -- nestled into a fjord-like setting between ocean, mountains, and mighty river. Formally established in 1886 in a coastal rainforest, Vancouver has morphed into a lively, cosmopolitan metropolis. Of course the region's natural beauty remains a big draw, making this an ideal destination in which to combine urban pleasures with outdoor recreation. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Vancouver | |
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Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta, known for its Southern charm, is a big city without the big-city attitude. Newcomers and visitors often note how friendly and helpful the citizens are. Popular attractions in this premier city of the South include the High Museum of Art, the Georgia Aquarium and Chastain Park. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Atlanta | |
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Austin, Texas Locals and out-of-towners alike often compare Austin's terrain to Colorado - its anything but flat. Stunning Hill Country vistas, wildflowers in bloom, and an active outdoor lifestyle have made Austin one of the more popular cities in Texas. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Austin | |
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Boston, Massachusetts Boston's compact size, quaint architecture, and acres of green open space give the city an almost European feel. Boston is not so much old provincial capital, but a cosmopolitan city with a decidedly New England charm. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Boston | |
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Charleston, South Carolina Charleston has exquisitely preserved architecture in an extraordinary setting that exudes Southern charm and grace. This genteel town is as much about its people as it is about history and the sights to see. |
| Find out more in the HowStuffWorks's City Guide to Charleston | |
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