Party, Eat, Sleep, Repeat: The Mountain Oasis Just a Stone's Throw From Beijing
I love weekend retreats away, and finally getting a chance to rest, recharge, and rejuvenate. Luckily for us, the area around Beijing is a mountainous oasis, filled with pebbled brooks, lakes, and even waterfalls, so if hopping on a plane to more restful shores is out of the question, there are plenty of options to get away from it all, right here on your doorstep.
Last week it was my birthday, and I wanted to celebrate it with an intimate affair with close friends. I couldn’t think of a better way than to escape from the city for a night, and just swim, eat, sleep, and repeat. If that sounds like your kind of break, then Beijing Jiangnanyi Boutique Hotel in Miyun district is likely to have exactly what you’re looking for. It's perfect for couples, groups, and families, and I couldn't recommend it more.
An evening barbecue followed by a pool party the following day and a long table afternoon lunch with friends was the ultimate way to say goodbye to another year and say hello to a new one. I not only wanted to gather all my friends for an epic celebration but also wanted to take advantage of the idyllic setting by having the hotel to ourselves. On this front, the manager of the hotel and staff were extremely accommodating, and from start to finish did their utmost to meet my needs and then some.
We were given total access to their private barbecue area, kitchen, and balcony terrace. Upon our late night arrival, all that I had requested was ready: coal on the barbecue ready to be lit, salads, snacks, mixers, and ice. The family-owned business ran like clockwork and everyone chipped in to ensure that everything went smoothly. Nancy, the hotel's manager, was warm and welcoming, as was her husband, brother-in-law, and daughter who later joined in the celebrations with a few shots of baijiu and the shaking of a leg or two.
The next morning, we woke up to see the stunning mountains that form a backdrop to the boutique hotel, and we whiled away the hours enjoying the beautiful surroundings. In the center of the courtyard is a pond with a soothing water feature surrounded by pebbled pathways, and the pool area is decked out with a wooden terrace pagoda, where the gang and I snacked on chips and guacamole and entered into a heated competition of charades – yes, I’m partial to little organized fun!
What to do
If you're feeling energetic, just a short walk from the hotel is a lake where we went swimming (although this may not be strictly legal), and a further 3km off there’s an impressive waterfall. Guests can go walking or hiking at their leisure, and a trip to the nearby Mutianyu Great Wall can be arranged by the hotel.
Amenities
The hotel rooms were fully stocked with soft fluffy towels, bathroom vanity set, widescreen TV, wi-fi, and tea and coffee. The rooms were also beautifully finished, and unlike most places on the outskirts of the city had fully functioning shower rooms, with 24-hour hot running water. Water pressure was pleasantly up to par.
The pool, although well maintained and clean, was only a few feet deep, so if this is one of the main features that you are looking for (as it was for me), than be aware that it’s a great cooling off in, but you won’t be doing any laps before breakfast. Though this was a slight disappointment, our swim in the lake adjacent to the hotel more than made up for it.
Dining
Fully stocked with cold beer, soft drinks, and water, the boutique also has a restaurant with tasty Chinese dishes. You can also order breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the duration of your stay, or like us, you can bring your own items for a barbecue or cooking. There are also a number of other restaurants in the immediate area. Ask for bottled water for your room if you wish to use the tea and coffee facilities. The hotel struggled slightly to supply the amount of ice we needed, so bring a couple of bags of your own in a cooler if you're a stickler for ice-cold cocktails.
All in all, I couldn't ask for more from a 24-hour jaunt outside of the city. Just be aware that depending on rush hour and what time you leave town, you may be looking at a 1.5 or a three-hour journey each way.
Beijing Jiangnanyi Boutique Residence
Shicheng Town, Miyun District (north of Penghe Village)
酒店名字北京江南驿精品民宿：密云区石城镇捧河沿村北1000米
Rooms start at RMB 385 per person
WeChat: Nancy01234624 (English spoken)
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This article originally featured on our sister site beijingkids.
Photos: Nicole Bonnah, Anna Pellegrin Hartley
