MARCH 20, 2008. With only a few months before the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the anticipated influx of athletes and tourists to the city, the first Design Hotel in the People’s Republic of China is getting ready to open its doors on April 18.

The 55-room hotel, The Emperor, is located adjacent to the former Imperial Palace of the Forbidden City, an acclaimed UNESCO world heritage site. Nestled in an old tree-lined avenue among traditional Chinese temples and houses, the hotel offers a tranquil respite from the hectic city pace of Beijing though located in its geographic centre. Opening rates begin at 110 Euros.

The building of The Emperor was the former premises of the Qinghua University Alumni and features a classical Chinese brick facade and roof. Beijing Dacheng Yongan Zhiye Co. Ltd., developed the building into a hotel project with their international partners. The architecture of the cutting-edge design hotel was developed by renowned interior designers GRAFT Labs, with international offices in Berlin, Los Angeles and Beijing. The project's brand and concept creation, and pre-opening operational development were created by restaurant and hotel development consultancy Walter Junger & Friends, Ltd. with offices in Berlin and Singapore.

Along the guestroom hallways, specially shaped sofa niches offer a variety of music selection from all over the world together with classical Chinese music. This private oasis offers a short relaxing break where guests can also watch on an LCD screen up to date information about Beijing hotspots, historic details, hotel’s concept and some other little secrets.

The rooms are unique for the almost "floating" interiors. All furnishings are connected to each other by an invisible line, appearing as if the wall flows into the bed, continuing into the sofa and finally to the desk. The prevailing colour in all rooms is white, highlighted with fiery orange, lime green, deep ocean blue as well as slate grey. Each installation features a roofline of the Forbidden City silhouette, once again connecting modern design with the traditional symbolism. A wall-mounted flat screen television can be adjusted for viewing from multiple areas of the room. The television also offers six in-house music channels in different genres and an USB connection for guests' portable music players.

The hotel also features a Chinese restaurant - SHI, a rooftop bar - YIN, and a spa / wellness area - YUE.

The business facilities at The Emperor are tailored to the guests needs. The main meeting room located on the rooftop for 20 persons can be used as a private event space while enjoying the roof bar atmosphere. On both the first and second floors are private meeting spaces interconnected with the rooms.

Project developer, Mr. Liu Shao Jun, said, "I am very excited that we have created such a unique hotel with our international partners and are setting a benchmark in the boutique hotel and restaurant industry in Beijing and all of China. Not only will global visitors feel welcome at our hotel, but domestic travellers will also have an opportunity to experience a new style of hospitality. Our sincere wish is for SHI, YIN and indeed The Emperor, to become the favoured gathering place for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city."