The team at Grace Beijing is full of surprises. The latest news from this boutique hotel on the fringe of the 798 Arts Zone is a list of exciting things to do in fall and winter. The first offerings are seafood paella using Nova Scotia lobster, an oyster promotion where you order six and get an extra on the platter; and a gourmet dinner package every last Friday of the month featuring Cuban cigars and single malt whiskeys.

In November, they are planning two nights of campfire organic meat dinners featuring the best practices of Beijing's pioneers of sustainable agriculture. And finally, they say you can book the entire hotel for your company function or private gathering this Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year. To find out more, log on to www.gracebeijing.com. Pauline D. Loh

Grace Beijing, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 798 Art Zone, 706 Houjie 1, Beijing. 010-6436-1818