Sense of place for 'affluential explorers'

Hotel chain dishes up authentic local cuisine

Personal style without barriers

"As for the guestroom, what we try to create is almost like a mansion within the hotel. It's a different approach from other hotels in the city," says Cheng, a Harvard graduate. She visited Beijing recently.

With residential-style layouts such as elegant ornaments and textural overlays, a large guestroom of 50 square meters will make it a cozy and homelike place. It's decorated with paintings on xuan paper (rice paper) of traditional Chinese symbols, such as the yin and yang constellation.

When you pass by the lift lobbies, you will notice the library shelves are filled with artworks such as porcelain, accessories and specially sourced books. You may have the impression that you're in a private collector's residence.

Cheng is proud that the hotel has six restaurants and lounges, serving delicious international cuisines.

Diehard fans of hot pot will fall in love with Red Bowl. The restaurant offers individual hot pots for each guest sitting along a large bar counter, with fresh meats, seafood, vegetables and drinks.

"Local residents like hot pot. We get a modern take of hot pot and make it much more fun and fashionable," she says.

One of her favorites is the Chinese restaurant Country Kitchen, with an open show kitchen and a wood-roasting oven. Chefs will demonstrate their cooking skills with Northern Chinese dishes, such as Peking duck and different kinds of dumplings.

"It's inspired by China's village-type home-cooked food. It reflects the local custom and culture, dining in a casual environment with an outdoor terrace," she says.

According to Cheng, Rosewood's target customers are the "affluential explorers", referring to those who are very well traveled and sophisticated.

"They are looking for something different with the hotel experience, which is based on intuitive service of the people. It's something that can't be replaced by very extravagant designs," she says.

"Sometimes it's going back to the simple pleasures - the basics," she says.

In September, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts started the Rosewood Curators program, to enhance the guests' hotel experience. It has invited 14 celebrities and tastemakers to share their favorite travel tips and spots for Rosewood destinations on the hotel's official website.

As for Beijing, you can have a bite of the city's best street food, recommended by Hong Kong film director Johnnie To.

According to Cheng, Rosewood as a brand is expanding quickly in the world. In 2015, China will have its second Rosewood Hotel in the Chongqing municipality.

"More and more people are traveling to local destinations for a resort stay. China's resort hotel market is still in the early stage and has a lot of potential to grow," Cheng adds.