Pangu Seven Star Hotel, one of Beijing's most extravagant hotels, is housed in the dragon-shaped Pangu Plaza, just next to the Bird's Nest. Photos provided to China Daily

Hotel profile | Beijing

Xu Xiao finds soaring amenities overlooking the legendary 2008 Olympic venue.

Overlooking the site where legends were made at the 2008 Olympics, the Pangu Seven Star Hotel Beijing might be a relative newcomer to the ultra-luxury hospitality industry in the capital, but it is among the city's most extravagant new landmarks.

And to resident manager Zeki Ozal, its service is as unique as its design.

Part of the Pangu Plaza complex built by the Beijing investment firm Pangushi Co, the hotel was designed by renowned architect C.Y. Lee, the man behind Taipei 101, one of the world's tallest buildings.

Ozal said the hotel stands out for its 12 breathtakingly opulent rooftop "Sky Courtyards", each created by a distinctive international designer.

More than 85 meters above the ground, the courtyards challenge the imagination and the limits of extravagance. Each has a retractable transparent sunroof. Stairs are made of redwood imported from Africa.

A blend of Chinese and Western accoutrements include hand-made Italian sofas beside a redwood side table, while an old-fashioned square dining table for eight sits below a chandelier.

Ozal said such a meld of design style is found everywhere in the Pangu, especially in its meeting venues.

The hotel has two meeting halls, one on the third floor called the Pandu Ballroom, and the other on the floor above named the Lotus.

Both have 15-meter-high ceilings and no pillars. The size and spaciousness make them outstanding, according to Ozal.

The hotel's LED screen is among the biggest in Asia, provided free of charge when a company rents a meeting room.

Marble carvings and paintings of the phoenix and the dragon showcase traditional Chinese aesthetics, even as the glass walls of each ballroom offer a panorama of the modern metropolis outside.

But it is exclusive. "Luxury comes with privacy," said Ozal "We don't want two to three different groups of guests mingle."

The manager said companies such as Tencent, Samsung, Shell, ABB, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have all held major events. New movies have also been launched in the spacious rooms.

The ballrooms are also open for weddings.

"If you have the chance to join one of the weddings here, you will have a strong willingness to get married at once," Ozal said.

The Pangu Seven Star is also fast becoming a trendy epicurean epicenter due to its 26 individually styled private dining rooms at the Wenqi Restaurant, where people meet to savor superb Chui Chow and Cantonese cuisine in a setting of exceptional exclusivity.

For expansive evening views one can choose the Happiness Lounge, or indulge in high tea at the elegant lobby-side Karma Lounge, or experience world-class all-day buffets at the Auspicious Garden, which has gained a reputation among Beijing's gourmets for its fresh lobsters, view of the Water Cube and service.

As well, you can delight your senses at Kaden Minokichi, the first international branch of the 300-year-old Kyoto establishment that once served Japanese emperors. All its chefs and ingredients are direct from Japan.

"Guest satisfaction comes first," Ozal said, noting that 50 percent of the clients are repeat guests.

"I've never seen such a loyal guest group during my 20 years of work experience in the industry."

Before his seven years in the hospitality industry in Beijing, Ozal worked at high-end hotels in Turkey and Russia and Saudi Arabia.

He found that Beijing offers abundant opportunities as "more and more Chinese travel abroad and know the world's top level hotels".

"When they come back to China, they have increased demands for domestically rooted high-end hotels," he said

"We know the trends in the world, and we have our way to combine both international and local service, so I believe we'll have a bright future," Ozal said.

In addition to the Pangu Seven Star Hotel, the Pangu Plaza complex has a luxury office building, three international apartment buildings and a 411-meter long commercial hallway called the "Dragon Corridor".

Contact the writer at xuxiao@chinadaily.com.cn.

(China Daily 08/11/2012 page13)