This is the thread in which your post is probably going to end up:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...s-beijing.html

There is lots of good discussion there. I suggest starting with the more recent posts and working backwards because things change quickly in China.

Also, see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china...9-onwards.html

With respect to your specific inquiry about Dongcheng, more details about your precise location (particularly north/south) would be useful, but you can basically either aim for dead center (e.g. Wangfujing) or find a place a bit to the east.

I personally dislike Wangfujing. However, the GH and Hilton are both good hotels. And, you also have the Raffles, Penn, and historic icons like the Beijing Hotel. Basically, if you need to be there for business, consider staying there as well. Just note, that the food scene isn't especially good and the nightlife is downright horrible (both problems are easily addressed by going elsewhere after work).

Regarding "to the east", the St. Regis is the first thing that comes to mind:
-Metro access isn't especially convenient, and it happens to be a taxi hell zone, but Uber/didi/etc work pretty well
-The hotel itself is pretty solid (won't blow you away, but it is nice)
-Ritan Park is close (and quite nice)
-The neighborhood has a very relaxed atmosphere
-There are about a dozen cool restaurants within (short) walking distance, including several that are inside the park (street access, park patios)
-The better restaurants in CBD/SLT/Dongsi/Yansha are 15 minutes away by car
-Maggie's (not my style, but it can be fun, and anyone who's done a significant amount of business in Beijing will concede that it has a solid spot on the radar)

I will try to do some more thinking on this. Dongcheng for business is a first for me.