Live Better Than an Emperor at Aman Beijing

If you haven't heard of Singapore-based Aman Resorts, there's a good reason.

It's widely touted as the world's chicest hotel brand, frequented by European aristocracy and pop stars looking for vacation glamour where the resort is the destination. In certain circles, the mere reference of Aman conjures up the image of far-off locations in one-of-a-kind resorts that humble the ordinary Ritz travelers into jealous silence.

Not just run-of-the-mill five-star luxury, Aman combines the seclusion of a private villa with the resort amenities of a full-service hotel. With openings coming in Montenegro, Brazil and India set for December, its newest property is also one of its most historic, the Summer Palace Beijing, a few miles from the Chinese capital. ...