The Westin Beijing, Financial Street is located in the heart of the Chinese capital near both the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The 26-story, 486-room hotel also features 205 executive residences. These units, which all feature hotel amenities, offer a combination of one, two and three bedroom floor plans. The hotel also includes seven separate bars and restaurants plus a 6,000 sq. ft. spa and is located only 40 minutes from the Beijing’s international airport. Westin is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE: HOT).
While Beijing is acknowledged as the political and cultural center of China, Shanghai and Hong Kong loom larger as economic giants. Beijing will host the 2008 Summer Olympics. With a population of roughly 14 million, it ranks of China’s second most populous city. Explosive economic growth, much of it tied to the 2008 games, has led to an aggressive development program in central Beijing, which ranks among the world’s most polluted cities due to constant smog.