STEP past the imposing French-infused colonnade facade of the Raffles Beijing Hotel, through the brass-edged revolving doors into its interior, and you'd almost think you are somewhere in France

From the graceful Beaux Art-style arches in the lobby, the high windows, and the gorgeous crystal chandeliers that you can't possibly miss, to the Louis XIV-style tables and chairs in La Vie - the tea and coffee lounge - all these are unmistakably French-influenced.

But you know you're not in France, because of the distinctive Oriental touches that Singaporean interior designer Grace Soh has lovingly woven into the fabric of the hotel.

Hand-tufted carpets - specially commissioned from weavers in Xinjiang, China - with patterns from 15th-16th century China and Chinese latticed screens grace the lofty interiors underneath vaulted arches, while French Baroque-inspired damask cushions sit comfortably on Chinese opium beds. Above the marble-topped check-in desk, original rank badges of Ming Dynasty officials are framed up on the wall, underneath a crystal chandelier.

Every detail has been carefully attended to by Ms Soh so as to meld Oriental refinement and French elan, giving the hotel a distinctly Raffles personality - one that brings back the romance of the golden age of travel by offering guests a luxurious yet historical experience.

The Raffles Beijing Hotel opened in July, after nine months of restoration work overseen by Ms Soh. The restoration was done to the most historical wing of the Beijing Hotel which was once known as the famous Grand Hotel de Peking.

The wing now occupied by Raffles Beijing Hotel was established in 1917 by a French architect. The restoration has been done as faithfully as possible, said Ms Soh who was also behind the colonial elegance of the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

For example, the original 1926 wooden ballroom dance floor - which many of Beijing's glitterati had twirled around on - has been restored to a gleaming finish.

But Ms Soh also added finishing touches to give the hotel a more luxurious yet stylish feel. Incorporating Oriental elements into the overall decorative theme, she said: 'I think it's important to do that because if a guest comes all the way to China, it's very sad if he does not get that Chinese experience.' Her intention was to make the hotel 'reminiscent of old luxurious European homes decorated with treasure loots from the East'.

The same Franco-Oriental theme as well as Ms Soh's attention to detail can be seen in the 171 rooms and suites of the hotel. In rooms adorned by French Baroque-style wallpaper and curtains, are Chinese trinkets and items like folded paper umbrellas in a wooden Oriental stand, and straw baskets as well as lacquer containers.

Overall, the rooms are beautifully done up, very spacious - I am told they are bigger than the average Beijing hotel rooms - and more than comfortable.

The room I stayed in was one of the Raffles Inc Executive Rooms - which are specially designed to meet every need of the business traveller. These rooms are decorated in a more modern, stylish manner than other rooms in the hotel, but they still possess an old-world oriental charm.

Those looking for a more historical touch will appreciate the nine Personality Suites which pay homage to some of the luminaries who have stayed in the original hotel during its illustrious history. These include Sun Yat Sen, George Bernard Shaw, Charles de Gaulle and Henri Cartier-Bresson. The rooms are thoughtfully decorated to convey the personality of each of the nine distinguished former guests.

The hotel also boasts several fine restaurants, including the stylish East 33 restaurant which offers both authentic Chinese and Italian cuisine.

Dine on Chinese dumplings and 33 different pastas side by side, while crisp Peking ducks and pizzas are prepared next to one another in rustic brick ovens in an open-plan kitchen anchoring the main dining area.

One Singapore import you will find here is Jaan - the same as the one located in Swissotel The Stamford. It's helmed by executive chef Christian Hoffman who pleases the palate with his interpretation of classic French cuisine.

For those who can't wait to unleash the shopaholic in them, Raffles Beijing's location at the crossroads of Chang An Avenue and Wangfujing Street offers many opportunities to do so. The Oriental Plaza, a five-minute walk away, houses many boutiques, while those looking for more can explore the many alleys of Wangfujing.

The area around Raffles Beijing is, in fact, one of the more pedestrian-friendly areas in Beijing, with many small interesting shops dotting the area that one can browse around. In addition, Tiananmen Square is just across Chang An Avenue, while the Forbidden City is a leisurely 20-minute walk away.