Cocooned amidst the labyrinthine alleyways or ‘hutongs’ once meticulously planned by the Emperors of China, the Regent Beijing hotel near Forbidden City has become a landmark in the region which formed the centrepiece of the Middle Kingdom. Deep in the core of the historic quarter and a short distance from must-see cultural markers such as Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven, the sensuous beat of traditional Chinese hospitality combines with cutting-edge design to create an oasis of tranquillity and a modern icon in a luxurious home away from home.