Though far from cheap, hotel brunches offer reliability, convenience, and a plethora of choices to satisfy picky eaters and disparate tastes. But with so many vying for your attention (and renminbi), how does one separate the best from the rest? Luckily, we do the testing for you. (Note that all prices carry a 15 percent surcharge.)
By the way – HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sunday Zone at Kerry Hotel Beijing
The city’s newest Sunday brunch includes access to Kerry Hotel Beijing’s Adventure Zone, a play center built from imported parts and featuring a 7.3m-high slide with a sheer drop (see Birthday Bash on p17 for a review). The brunch selection is all about customization, with different stations offering made-to-order Asian and Western dishes. The dessert corner is one of the most extensive in the city, with big bins filled with candy and rocky road chocolate that can be chipped off with a mallet.
RMB 398+ per adult (no alcohol), RMB 498+ (all-you-can-drink champagne), RMB 194+ per child (ages 6-12, includes access to Adventure Zone for two hours between 11.30am-3pm), free for kids under 6. For every two paying adults, one child under 6 can get access to the Adventure Zone; additional children are charged a minimum of RMB 100 each for entry. Sun 11.30am-3pm. Kerry’s Kitchen, 1/F, Kerry Hotel Beijing, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (8565 2088 ext 40) 朝阳区光华路1号嘉里酒店1层嘉品
360° Brunch at Hilton Beijing Capital Airport
Popular among Shunyi residents, this Sunday brunch features seafood, Beijing duck, sushi, meat carving stations, sweets, and more. Kids can let loose in the supervised playroom while Mom and Dad sip on Mumm champagne.
RMB 398+ (includes champagne, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks), RMB 338+ (no alcohol), RMB 169+ (ages 6-11), free for kids under 6. Sun 11.30am-3pm. Hilton Beijing Capital Airport, Terminal 3, Beijing Capital International Airport, Chaoyang District (6458 8888) 朝阳区北京首都机场三号航站楼北京首都机场希尔顿酒店
Kranzler’s Sweet Escape Sunday Brunch at Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center
As can be expected at the Kempinski, Kranzler’s Sunday brunch skews more European with hearty German sausages, fresh-baked bread, and apple strudel. Kids will enjoy the chocolate fountain, Movenpick ice cream, and play area complete with a clown who makes balloon animals.
RMB 348 (no alcohol), RMB 388 (includes red and white wine), half price for ages 6-12, free for kids under 6. Sun 11am-3pm. Kranzler’s, 1/F, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6465 3388 ext 4222) 朝阳区亮马桥路50号凯宾斯基酒店1层客来思乐餐厅
Bubbalicious Brunch at The Westin Beijing Chaoyang
One of the big daddies of the hotel brunch scene, The Westin Beijing Chaoyang’s Bubbalicious Brunch remains one of the most popular with families for its food selection and convenient location. On Sundays, you can find noodles, dim sum, teppanyaki, Indian food, carving stations, salads, kebabs, Chinese food, seafood, and more in a casual atmosphere. There is an entire room dedicated to dessert, as well as a children’s playroom with toys and activities.
RMB 478 (includes soft drinks), RMB 508 (includes soft drinks, red wine and white wine), or RMB 548 (includes soft drinks, red wine, white wine, and champagne), half price for ages 6-12, free for kids under 6. Sun 11.30am-3pm. The Westin Beijing Chaoyang, 7 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (5922 8888 ext 8178) 朝阳区东三环北路7号金茂北京威斯汀大饭店
Brunch Attitude at Sofitel Wanda Beijing
Do not be put off by the Sofitel’s rather imposing exterior; the Sunday brunch at VIC boasts a kids’ play room with games, toys, and movies. The food selection follows four different themes: Shake and Choc (chocolate and cocktails), Organic Green (healthy fare), French Gourmet (20 kinds of cheese with French wines), and Stylish Pink (pretty self-explanatory). The best part? As of last month, brunch is now free for ages 12 and under.
RMB 408 (includes soft drinks and juices), RMB 438 (includes wine and beer), RMB 498 (includes champagne), free for ages 12 and under. Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (8599 6666) 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场C座北京万达索菲特大饭店
Photos courtesy of respective hotels
This article originally appeared on p72-73 of the beijingkids January 2014 issue.
Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com
