The Ritz-Carlton Beijing
Raghu Menon
Executive assistant manager, F&B 
Delegates remember meetings by the overall quality of their experience, whatever the scale. When it comes to the local area, Ritz-Carlton Beijing is at the heart of the capital’s central business district, so it’s natural that it is used for meetings.

Our motto is ‘ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen’ and that is reflected in the brand’s legendary ability to create memorable gatherings.

The Lounge offers the sophistication and elegance of a room in a classic English manor house and offers everything from morning coffee and afternoon tea to Champagne. Standard packages for groups of at least 20 are available.

There is also the Ritz-Carlton Bar, which has often been used as a venue for themed events. The stylish bar offers exclusive cigars, choice wines, live entertainment… and even coffee!

Crowne Plaza Sun Palace, Beijing
Jennifer Wang
Assistant director of sales 
There’s a corner of Beijing that will be forever familiar to people from the southwestern province of Yunnan. At the Crowne Plaza Sun Palace Beijing, we share the province’s culture, topography and other features with our guests.

The hotel is fondly referred to as ‘Yunnan in Beijing’ and proudly shows off its cultural ethnicity, from miniature roof structures, paintings, carved wood walls and handicrafts to cuisine and costumes.

When it comes to snack time, fruit, nuts, vegetables and herbs are available along with the famous Yunnan Puer tea. Clients can also choose to have their company logo made from chocolate on fruit tarts, cakes, mousses or yoghurt.

Costumed dolls, carved elephants and straw hats add to a coffee break with a difference – with staff dressed in Yunnan folk costumes.

InterContinental Beijing Beichen
John Wang
Director of events 
While we are the only award-winning international luxury hotel in the north of Beijing – next to the National Olympic Stadium and the dramatic Water Cube – the InterContinental also gives meeting delegates a taste of ‘Old Peking Street’.

We provide a traditional food street setting with authentic social interaction that will stimulate the senses and give delegates a real taste of Beijing, complete with local delicacies, dim-sum and street snacks.

We’re about creating truly memorable meetings and events with an authentic local flavour – that is the inspiration behind the InterContinental Insider Collection.

Impeccable attention to detail is adhered to, from a coffee break to events at InterContinental Beijing Beichen’s 880 sqm Grand Ballroom and nine multipurpose meeting spaces.

Westin Beijing Chaoyang
Daniel Aylmer
General manager 
Sanlitun has become known as the Chinese capital’s fashion hub and the Westin Beijing Chaoyang is accustomed to welcoming the city’s trendsetters. With the LVMH 25th Anniversary Celebration still fresh in the memory, a fashionable coffee event is an opportunity not to be missed.

The hotel likes to meet with organisers before an event to ensure it is unique, and special arrangements can be made to accommodate large events

The Westin Executive Club is available for a relaxed coffee break with a wide selection of beverages and snacks, and at the end of the day guests are invited to mingle while enjoying complimentary hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, fruit, desserts, and beverages.

There is also a retro-style counter where sandwiches, cakes and pastries are served directly from our kitchen.

The Verdict... 
Lynn Grebstad, Grebstad Hicks
I would like to go for the themed coffee break proposal from Hotel No.3 (InterContinental Beijing Beichen), although it was a toss up with Hotel No.2 (Crowne Plaza Sun Palace, Beijing). The fact that the location is Beijing is the main reason for choosing Hotel No.2 and, secondly, for many busy international executives attending conferences, their time to experience the actual destination itself is minimal.

Therefore, to present delegates with a taste of a fast disappearing Beijing would I am sure delight all concerned. I like the idea that delegates get the opportunity to savour a taste of Beijing’s fascinating and delicious street delicacies. 

As this is part of an ‘Insider Collection’ (I like that concept), it gives them plenty of scope to expand the traditional street scene to the Beijing art scene. As No.2 suggests, the themed coffee break is a great opportunity for hotels to showcase local cultures.

Lynn Grebstad is a partner at Grebstad Hicks Communications. She reviewed the pitches without knowing who had submitted them