頤和園, Summer Palace, I found myself in a spot that’s no stranger to the stories told through countless Chinese dramas I devoured in my younger years. 頤和園 – a name that resonates deeply in my memory. Stepping into Aman Summer Palace’s Reflection Pavilion is, in essence, my way of touching the luxurious without breaking the bank (considering that a single night’s stay here could cost RMB5000+ for their smallest guest room, that is at least 10 servings of Peking Duck).
”It's quite the experience to explore 頤和園, Summer Palace, within this setting, without the bustling crowds constantly shouting and screaming (truly, tranquillity is a luxury in Beijing).
Mr. Chow2023.08
On my journey from the main entrance to the Reflection Pavilion, I stumbled upon what they called the ‘cultural centre’. There, you’ll find an assortment of odds and ends, a mix of old relics and souvenir trinkets for those looking to bring a piece of this place home. Personally, I feel it detracts a tad from the overall aesthetic; I’d have preferred a touch of class with handpicked tea sets and fine chinaware, rather than an assortment of children’s toys that might feel more at home on a Taobao page.
Speaking of the Reflection Pavilion at Aman Summer Palace, stepping inside felt like a traditional embrace with a modern polish – something my dad’s place could use, considering his preference for organised chaos. Now, let’s talk about the only luxury I can afford here – the coffee. Surprisingly, the coffee itself was more tasteless than my Monday mornings, but the chocolate cubes accompanying it? Pure delish. Oddly enough, for a high-end establishment like Aman, I half-expected a tad more attention to detail. As if a mischievous wink from fate itself, I noticed a typo on the menu. Now, I’m no grammar police (English is my third language, I can barely spell sometimes) but when you’re charging a fortune for a stay, could you not spare a dime for proofreading? I mean, with the price tag they’re slapping on, hiring a comma enthusiast wouldn’t be too farfetched. The servers noticed my photographic obsession with the coffee and offered me another cup for the perfect shot – albeit sans the chocolate, which was a mild letdown, considering that coffee and chocolate are like a ‘service standard’, no?
Only wish we could explore a bit more
Regrettably, my exploration of Aman Summer Palace was confined to a few areas, as the majority are reserved exclusively for the honoured hotel guests of the establishment.
Taste: 5.5 / 10
Service: 6.5 / 10
Ambiance: 8 / 10
Tempo: 7 / 10
”Value For Money: 4 / 10! My latte set me back around RMB140, which converts to a steep HKD150 for a single coffee. My wallet shed a tear, but I'm quite aware that I don't exactly fit their typical clientele profile. Four points are reserved for the serenity I found here and the privilege of strolling through a part of the Summer Palace in relative peace – definitely a rare treat in this vibrant city.
