When the emperor and his entourage lorded over the Forbidden City in the Ming and Qing dynasties, no building was allowed to be higher than the Hall of Supreme Harmony. In Beijing’s current Bling dynasty, however, you can peer right over the vermillion walls of the imperial palace from new boutique hotel The Emperor – while enthroned in the Jacuzzi, no less.

The Emperor occupies the former brick dorms of Tsinghua University alumni, situated along the Forbidden City’s eastern wall. Its neighbours in the distinguished diplomatic quarter include the Deputy Prime Minister’s home, the grand stone High Court, and a former temple complex now occupied by a middle school.

The elaborately winged temple roofline provides dramatic views from south-facing rooms, while the Emperor Suite on the western side offers the singular enjoyment of bedding down directly adjacent to the original royal boudoirs – sure to titillate your inner imperialist.

Given its locale, the imperial elements of the hotel come as no surprise. What is surprising is their interpretation at the hands of contemporary architects, Graft. The design firm – which has offices in Beijing, Berlin and Los Angeles along with star clients like Brad Pitt – is unapologetically cutting-edge in its approach. There are no traditional red lacquer or embossed gold dragons here.

Instead, there are lots of quirky references. Doors to the 55 rooms, each named after a different Chinese emperor (including the only female emperor, Wu Zetian), are stenciled with a massive emperor’s head. Inside, the roofline of the Forbidden City is traced along faux suede bedroom walls and in the frosted glass of the showers. The wacky colour palette is also inspired by updated versions of traditional temple hues.

Beyond this, the look is signature Graft: modular built-in furnishings that wrap around the space and segue into different forms and functions. Though the layout of each room is unique, as defined by the original structure of the building, the overriding concept is that all the functions of the room are visually linked, using trails of chalky formica and colorful suede that stretch around and up the walls. A line of sculpted sofa niches, for instance, might swell into a bed or full-size bath, before tapering into a sculpted desk or bathroom sink.

The effect treads a thin line between futuristically funky and pod-hotel tacky. It dips dangerously toward the latter with the eye-popping choice of tangerine, lime green and turquoise colour schemes. Guest who aren’t feeling particularly tutti-frutti should request the more restful silver-grey tones. Sloppy workmanship in places, and awkward layouts of some of the bathrooms, also diminish the intended luxe factor.

But the design was meant to be daring, and it has won favour with the Design Hotels group, which has included The Emperor as the first mainland Chinese member of its exclusive network on account of its highly original design and concept.

Traditional Chinese culture is represented in The Emperor’s service offerings. Restaurant Shi (meaning ‘food’) offers eight speciality imperial dishes on its creative Chinese menu, along with vintage yellow rice wine ceremonies. The spa, Yue (‘joy’), features a menu of therapeutic Chinese massages. A keepsake Chinese seal left on the desk for each guest is a nice touch.

But the highlight is undoubtedly the rooftop, which has been used to great effect. A cocktail bar, health club, spa, meeting room and reflection pool all occupy the stepped space, taking advantage of dazzling 360-degree views across the Forbidden City and white pagodas of Jingshan Hill. Early risers should head up to the roof at dawn as the rising sun hits the glazed golden roof tiles of the Forbidden City, setting ablaze the long procession of palatial pavilions and watchtowers.

By night, as the red lanterns are raised, retire to the Jacuzzi that crowns the highest section of the roof with a glass of champagne, feeling every bit as pampered as the ‘Son of Heaven’ himself.

www.theemperor.com.cn