Kempinski has been invited to manage one of the world's most avant-garde boutique hotels, The Commune by the Great Wall near Beijing, China, starting 15 August 2005. Kempinski brings hotel management expertise to this unique, private collection of living architecture which has been developed by SOHO China, headed by husband and wife team Pan Shiyi and Zhang Xin.

Since October 2002, the eccentric boutique hotel cum architectural museum has been welcoming a select clientele to stay in one of 11 villas, which also enjoy the use of a Club House. Each exclusive retreat, as well as the Club House, has been designed in a contemporary style by one of the 11 prominent Asian architects, who were invited by the Owners to be involved in the project. The stunning natural setting lends itself to interpretation by the architects, who have succeeded in creating breath-taking, simple structures which frame the views over the landscape and the Great Wall.

A total of 46 beautifully designed rooms are currently open and once the second phase of construction is completed, a total of 265 rooms will be available. All the luxury services that Kempinski is renowned for, including room service, private butler service, a Club House concierge and a dedicated Meetings concierge, will be provided to guests staying in the villas. The Club House offers a courtyard restaurant, lounge, swimming pool, gallery, private cinema and a library, attired in peacock feathers. A private path from the property gives direct access to the Great Wall.

The hotel is unlike any other hotel in the world and offers guests an ‘architectural experience' rather than a conventional hotel stay and is an ultra-chic venue for corporate conferences and events, making a break from the ordinary.

The Commune by the Great Wall has already garnered international recognition. In architecture, the project won a special prize at the 2002 Biennale di Venezia, establishing its importance as a showcase for contemporary Chinese and Asian architecture. Condé Nast Traveler named the hotel among the ‘100 Hot Hotels in the World' in 2004 and Tatler Travel Guide ranked the hotel among the ‘10 best Boutique Hotels' in 2005. In each case, The Commune by the Great Wall was the only hotel in mainland China to be so distinguished.

http://www.commune.com.cn