Embark on a Unique Cultural, Artistic, and Luxurious Journey
Beijing, June 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/-- The flagship hotel of the Chinese national brand “NUO”-- Beijing NUO Hotel has officially been unveiled.The “NUO” brand was conceived under the advocacy of Duan Qiang, Chairman of BTG Group, in collaboration with Germany’s Kempinski Hotels, guided by the philosophy of “taking an international path, creating a national brand, and practicing Chinese service.” After eight years of gestation, it has emerged as a premium national hotel brand. It embodies the traditional Chinese virtue of “a promise worth a thousand pieces of gold” and carries the BTG Group’s commitment to the world. Drawing inspiration from the construction and management styles of top international hotels and infused with insights from China’s 5,000-year cultural history, the NUO brand presents traditional cultural elements through modern artistic expressions. It communicates a new contemporary Chinese lifestyle and attitude—“refined elegance within, effortless freedom without”—serving both as a tribute to and interpretation of history, and a perfect showcase of Chinese quality, temperament, consciousness, and tradition.
Duan Qiang, Chairman of BTG Group (center), together with Alejandro Bernabe, Global CEO of Kempinski, and
“NUO” originates from the Latin word "NOU", meaning innovation. Its Chinese name “Nuojin” (Nuò Jīn) is derived from the phrase “a promise worth a thousand pieces of gold”.The NUO brand adheres to cultural heritage but avoids rigid replication or imitation. It integrates traditional culture and aesthetic tastes into its brand ethos, which are then reinterpreted by internationally renowned design teams to infuse traditional culture with vibrant modern charm. On February 27, 2008, the NUO brand, designed by the internationally acclaimed design consultancy Landor, made its first debut, establishing its four core pillars: Chinese, luxurious, modern, and green. Subsequently, three further themes were defined: localized culture, interpretation of Chinese service, and low-carbon intelligence. The addition of Mr. Zeng Fanzhi, an internationally renowned artist and NUO’s Honorary Art Consultant, brought further artistic enrichment to the brand, helping realize its vision of a modern Chinese art style. Localization is at the heart of NUO. Different regions provide new inspiration, and NUO properties in different cities offer distinctive yet culturally rich living experiences. The newly launched NUO flagship draws inspiration primarily from the literati culture of the Ming Dynasty, carving out a serene haven amidst the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Here, you can immerse yourself in refined literati sentiment amid an atmosphere of elegant simplicity and the fragrance of tea.
“The rapid development of China’s tourism industry in recent years reflects the market’s demand for‘Made in China’distinctive luxury national hotel brands.”Duan Qiang, Chairman of BTG Group, said,“As China’s most comprehensive and powerful tourism group, BTG Group is proud to introduce NUO, a five-star hotel brand that celebrates China’s traditional history and culture.”
Additionally, as a key component of the NUO brand, “NUO Travel”, developed by BTG Group, complements NUO Hotels by establishing a complete service system. It is dedicated to providing high-end consumers with the finest travel services and offering exclusive premium concierge services for NUO Hotels worldwide. The luxurious Hongqi (Red Flag) fleet provided by NUO Travel delivers premier concierge services to meet the diverse travel needs of NUO Hotel guests. The iconic “Made in China” Hongqi sedans, designated for transporting domestic and international dignitaries, represent a high-end car brand that offers international-grade products, locally inspired branding, and exceptional value.
Beijing NUO Hotel – Exterior
Beijing NUO Hotel
Rooted in China’s 5,000-year history, NUO deeply reflects the cultural origins of each city. As a comprehensive embodiment of BTG Group’s “Chinese Service” in both hard and soft power, Beijing NUO Hotel has undergone eight years of planning and preparation. Drawing on the essence of Beijing’s literary, artistic, and cultural prosperity during the Ming Dynasty, it perfectly interprets the NUO brand philosophy and the new contemporary Chinese lifestyle and attitude—“refined elegance within, effortless freedom without.”
Unlike imperial or commoner cultures, Beijing NUO highlights the “literati culture” of the Ming Dynasty’s golden age, interweaving poetry, calligraphy, wisdom, and legends left behind by Ming literati and historical figures throughout the property: appreciate the vibrancy beloved by Zhang Dai in the lobby; experience the refined elegance of Wen Zhenheng’s scholarly retreat and admire the bold strokes of Wen Zhengming’s calligraphy in guest rooms; savor the free-spirited brushwork of Xu Wei in the Hejia Chinese Restaurant; and grasp the uncontrived naturalness of Zhu Quan’s tea ceremony in Yuanting… Every corner conveys the spontaneous, leisurely, and refined lifestyle of Ming literati, elevating the experience from material pleasure to spiritual fulfillment. Through the five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—it captures the serenity between presence and absence, revealing the essence of “luxury”: an elegant way of life and a noble pursuit.
“Beijing NUO Hotel will uphold‘the guiding principle of “making the past serve the present”’Beijing NUO Hotel General Manager Lu Yijun said,” China boasts a splendid 5,000-year history and civilization, whose unparalleled traditional charm attracts visitors from around the world. We look forward to guests from all over the world experiencing the grandeur of ancient Chinese prosperity reimagined through modern luxury at Beijing NUO Hotel.“Artistic Masterpieces”
As a new cultural and artistic luxury landmark, in addition to the specially created art gallery at the hotel entrance, the lobby, guest rooms, suites, and restaurants are adorned with a series of exquisitely crafted works by Chinese artists. These include four meticulously created artworks specially commissioned for the hotel by internationally renowned Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi. Serving as NUO’s Honorary Art Consultant, Mr. Zeng has thoughtfully placed large-scale sculpture “Le Mountain” and oil painting “Landscape 2014” within the hotel lobby and various spaces, collaborating with NUO to revive the traditional Chinese literati ideal of “living within art” and its spatial aesthetics.
Beijing NUO Hotel – Lobby
Art and life should be closely interconnected; beauty should not be confined to specific domains—it is universal.
“Zeng Fanzhi said,”This collaboration with BTG Group has been a pleasure. Through the medium of Beijing NUO Hotel, I hope to express my consistent pursuit of beauty. Only by adhering to the art of living can art truly become part of our everyday lives.“This collaboration with BTG Group has been a very pleasant one. Through the Beijing Nuo Hotel as a medium, I hope to reflect my consistent pursuit of beauty. Only by adhering to the art of living can art truly become a part of our everyday lives.”
Luxury Accommodation
The interior design of the hotel was created by Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), featuring 438 rooms, including 56 suites. The design draws inspiration from the home philosophy in Wen Zhenheng’s "Treatise on Superfluous Things" (Chang Wu Zhi) during the Ming Dynasty. The layout seeks balance and symmetry, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering unlimited city views. Furnishings are primarily made of solid wood and leather, accented with subdued jewel-toned accessories to deliver a low-key yet luxurious romantic ambiance. Silk-patterned accent walls complement the wooden and marble flooring, presenting Ming-style residential features in a modern and opulent manner. Each bedroom area in the guest rooms or suites is adorned with a print artwork—one of Zeng Fanzhi’s limited-edition prints titled "Walking in the Snow to Seek Plum Blossoms," "Mountain," or "Withered Tree"—truly integrating art into everyday life.
Culinary Journey
Upholding its commitment to providing authentic and healthy cuisine, Beijing Nuo Hotel sources food ingredients exclusively from its “Nuo Organic Farm.” A team of chefs from 10 countries creates exquisite dishes for the hotel’s six restaurants and bars, including the “Hejia” Chinese Restaurant, “Yueshang” All-day International Restaurant, “Changxi” Creative Japanese Cuisine, the stylish bar “Op Bar” with an outdoor terrace, the boutique food shop “Yulefang,” as well as the grand, elegant, and art-filled “Lobby Lounge.”
Yuan Ting, one of Nuo’s most iconic features, has core design elements derived from a modern interpretation of Ming-era teahouses and tea ceremonies. Its elegant interiors, refined courtyards, and gardens incorporate Ming-style tea room aesthetics into contemporary design, evoking deep reflections on traditional tea culture. Whether for a short break or prolonged stay, guests can find inner peace here. Teas served at Yuan Ting come from the “Nuo Tea Garden” in Yunnan, Anxi, and Wuyi Mountain regions, including rare teas custom-made exclusively for the hotel.
Lifestyle & Wellness
Nuo Spa boasts 8 luxurious treatment rooms and a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) wellness center. Inspired by the “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon” (Huang Di Nei Jing), it has curated signature spa programs based on TCM principles for each season. Custom essential oils and fragrances, inspired by Li Shizhen’s “Compendium of Materia Medica” from the Ming Dynasty, are crafted from pure, high-quality natural ingredients and special Chinese herbs, delivering a truly premium wellness experience.
Meetings & Events
With the opening of Beijing Nuo Hotel came state-of-the-art meeting and banquet facilities spanning 2,500 square meters, including 14 multifunctional rooms and the 1,600-square-meter pillar-free Yongle Grand Ballroom. With a ceiling height of 9 meters, the Yongle Ballroom can accommodate up to 1,600 guests and features natural lighting, a car lift, ceiling rigging points, as well as projection screens and a 75-square-meter LED display for a stunning audiovisual experience.
Green Intelligence
In line with the hotel’s commitment to becoming a “low-carbon, green, and smart hotel,” Beijing Nuo Hotel is equipped with advanced air purification systems using F8-grade filters certified by the European Committee for Standardization, effectively filtering over 90% of PM2.5 particles. The building’s curtain wall system is supplied by German company Schüco, significantly reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. The intelligent lighting control system greatly minimizes electricity usage. Guided by a “green building” philosophy, the hotel strictly adheres to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council and has obtained LEED Gold Pre-certification.
Management Team
Beijing Nuo Hotel has assembled a management team of top domestic and international talents, drawing on advanced international concepts to establish comprehensive service, engineering, operational, and low-carbon management standards. While aligning services with international norms, the team also incorporates Chinese character and temperament. We are dedicated to delivering Chinese hospitality that meets global standards, reflects local identity, and offers exceptional value—interpreting Nuo’s unique brand of hospitality through consistent Chinese traditions of guest reception.