Meanwhile, the elegantly restrained, two-story Chinese restaurant Lu Yu, courtesy of LTW, avoids the trap of obvious chinoiserie: Stacked abacuses line a wall near the entrance, while pale celadon porcelain bricks adorn the upstairs entryway.

WSJ: Stays: Conrad Beijing

Inside, art enlivens the dark marble lobby by Singapore's LTW Designworks: guests are greeted by Australian artist Jane Cowie's 9.9-meter-tall glass tile installation depicting a koi pond and subtly etched scenes from China Merchant Group's 141-year-old history.

WSJ: Stays: Conrad Beijing