MAKE IT MEMORABLE ON THE SLOPES
Winter has arrived in Beijing, but there is no sign that the first snow is on the way, which is a disappointment for those that like a festive season at this time of year. However, for those who like snow because they love skiing, help is at hand, courtesy of Sunrise Kempinski Hotel, Beijing.
The hotel is located beside Yanqi Lake, a beautiful scenic site at the foot of Yanshan Mountains in the suburban district of Huairou. It is about one hour’s drive from Bejing’s central area.
Here, guests cannot only enjoy the magnificent panoramic views of Yanshan Mountains, they can also enjoy the sunset on the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.
Till Feb 28 a Yanqi Ski Vacation Package is available, which comprises one night at Sunrise Kempinski Hotel with two breakfast buffets and two ski tickets for the Huaibei Ski Resort.
It is part of the hotel’s commitment to providing guests with “memorable journeys inspired by exquisite European flair each season”, according to Brice Pean, general manager of Sunrise Kempinski Hotel, Beijing & Yanqi Lake.
And the package is memorable. The hotel is situated in a picturesque location beside Yanqi Lake. And after a night’s sweet sleep, and breakfast, you can enjoy the largest and the most beautiful ski resort in Beijing perched below the Great Wall.
It is important to ensure you have enough energy for skiing, so take time to enjoy the breakfast buffet at Sunrise Kempinski, which is generous.
I particularly enjoyed the sour mashed potatoes, different from those with heavy butter or sugar, and the yogurt in small glass bottles with flavors of blueberries, strawberries, bananas and lemon, which offer healthy and tasty protein and vitamins.
But there are plenty of other options, including oatmeal, mushroom soup, milk, eggs, Chinese-style noodles and cookies. Customers can also order a fresh-cooked egg roll fried together with bacon, onions and sausage.
Orange juice or tomato juice, salad, pickles, tea or coffee, toast with butter and jam are also served without limitation.
After breakfast, it’s time to brave the cold and head for the slopes.
A 10-minute drive from the hotel is Huaibei Ski Resort. The equipment rental is included in the Yanqi Ski Vacation Package.
The resort has a range of runs suit skiers and snowboarders of different experience levels, with four beginner pistes, two intermediate pistes and two advanced pistes. The longest run is 3,100 meters.
Sunrise Kempinski Hotel, Beijing & Yanqi Island is managed by Kempinski hotel group. The hotel has 594 guestrooms and suites.
Leisure facilities in the hotel include 11 restaurants and bars, two Kempinski The Spa, a private marina, the Yanqi Pagoda, recreational and fitness facilities, a Kids Club and beautifullylandscaped gardens.