Read and Rest: Hotel in Beijing

In Beijing, the Read and Rest hotel puts print magazines at the center of the guest experience.

A library dedicated to print magazines

The Read and Rest hotel is nestled amongst the winding alleys of Beijing’s Xiang’Er Hutong.

A solemn grey-brick building originally constructed for government use in the 1960s has been transformed by the Beijing-based studio Office AIO.

Opened in 2020, the Read and Rest hotel wishes to promote a quality lifestyle that is balanced between feeding one’s curiosity (Read) and bringing calmness to one’s senses (Rest). In order to make the facade more welcoming, and let in more light, the doors on the ground floor and the windows on the first floor were enlarged to create huge openings. The spectacular double-height entrance with natural stone floors and pleated gray plaster walls, opens onto the hotel lobby and the library which is almost entirely lined with oak wood. The library fitted with alcoves including creamy cushioned bench seats on one side, where guests can comfortably sit with a magazine of their choice, and built-in work tables on the other side. A curated selection of contemporary magazine publications is displayed on a tiered, wall-mounted shelf towards the front of the room. The space is illuminated by domed glossy lamps suspended from the ceiling.

The hotel consist of 60 rooms divided into four categories. During the booking process guests are encouraged to share their personal interests so that dedicated magazines are placed in their room. The bedrooms are designed as a ‘quiet nest’ for guests to retreat and relax. Interiors feature a minimalist style, soft, light tones, soft gray plastered walls, light-hued wooden flooring, and window benches. Some suites have a lounge area separated by sliding cane screens. All room have an en suite bathroom with a shower.

There is no restaurant on site but there are plenty around the hotel.

Red and Rest is a unique experience combining comfortable accommodation and a cultural space.